Steering belt renewal

[paul69]

My power steering has been playing up a bit lately ie: not working properly for first mile of journey and squealing once or twice. I have a belt and fluid which I bought for my previous car but was never brave enough to change before it got written off. Now the problem is, my present car is a 1990 digi but I can't remember what engine was in my 1989 F reg ( I know that sounds bad but I was always too nervous to do any work on the engine due to lack of experience hence I have forgotten what it was :embarassed:) Would there be any difference in the belts and fluid from k-jet to digi and how difficult is it to change the belt as this is my daily and I don't want to do anything I can't fix.

[twistedblack69]

There should be a number on the outside of the belt that gives the length and width of the belt, I can't remember the format of the numbers, but will have a look at my belt when I finish work n let u know

[paul69]

The code on the belt is:

LMI No.-    182 4401
Cross Ref.- AVX 10x730 La DOE <CR>

Thanks
BTW The fluid I was given at the same time as the belt has a green cap( part no.G004000M2), whereas I have a red cap on my reservoir. I don't want to open the bottle as the seal is intact, but I assume this is the green fluid, so should I try to change it for the red stuff?

[rubjonny]

8v all used same belt and pump setup, regardless of year. only 16v changed on the later models

[paul69]

Thanks RJ , as regards the fluid, I suppose I have to swap that for the red stuff?

[rubjonny]

all mk2s except the very late ones and g60/some diesel used the red dexron II ATF fluid. if you have the green stuff in there now dont worry though unless it is leaking, as thats the only real issue you have putting the green mineral fluid in a car that didnt have it originally. its the rack pipe seals which leak as the green stuff is thinner than the red and can get past older seals which arnt designed to run it.

by the sounds of it the problem you have is a slippy belt with the squeeling, so swap that with a new one first and see how you go.

[the_stink]

I had a similar problem, and though at first it was the PAS pump, took it to the garage to check it over, they said the belt was fine put it back on etc and the squeek went, I think the tension had gone although saying that i did check the tension and all seem in order. Now my steering has gotten worse again squeek has come back and very heavy some times near impossible to turn the wheel when stationary and making a right old racket!

Ive got a replacement pump to fit, and going to check the current tension on the existing one, from what the haynes manual says its a few bolts that need adjusting? well on the diagram thats what it looks like

[Ben Lessani]

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=49436.msg877119#msg877119

[the_stink]

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=49436.msg877119#msg877119

Dude you are my HERO!!! I think i might just print off your entire build thread !