Squeaky LJ78 Fan Belt

[wildthing]

Hey All,
Man I'm getting frustrated with this belt which is squeaking like mad on my LJ78. The power steering is 50% and had it adjusted a few times already. Seems to be around .5" play, about right but it looks awful shiny. The mechanic next door suggested this belt conditioner and sanding the sides down if that don't work but I'm thinking it is time for a new belt. Not a huge expense.

In the interests of time does anyone know the NAPA part number for this power steering belt for the LJ78? That way I or my mechanic can order it in advance and save some time and a run to the Napa store.

 

[prado t]

HI, Does the belt squeel continiously, or just when turning or at idle. The reason I ask is that mine did that a long time ago and found that the power steering fluid was not clean and causing the pump to load up. Good thing I caught it in time. I use Toyota belts . I will look for a NAPA part number crossover.

 

[wildthing]

It used to squeal only when it was close to locked up but now it squeals a lot. I should check the power steering fluiud...perhaps even replace it before I change the belt.

 

[wildthing]

Holy hotcakes batman, it only gets worse! The belt tightening mechanism, which includes a pulley with a race and ball bearings, is wonky. The whole thing is wrecked, with some of the bearings missing and the race scored. I have to replace it and the pulley that turns on it. Any thoughts about where to get that??

 

[wildthing]

Need Pulley for Power Steering Adjustment

The pulley on the belt tightening mechanism for my LJ78 cruiser is kinda broke and half the bearings are missing (see picture to come). Any idea where I could get a replacement piece as it is a workout doing this driving without power steering!

 

[Rummat81]

Hello,
I had the same issue. the pully was squeaking cause the bearing was shot. i checked with 4x4auto, and they told me to just change out the bearing. the pulley was close to like $100.

I went to a bearing shop (BC bearing) and got a replacement bearing. The bearing # is written on it, the bearing is held into the pulley by a C-clip and pressed into the pulley.
The replacement bearing cost like $12 bucks and i gave 20 bucks to a machine shop to press the bearing in, rather than me trying to whack it in.
In the mean time, i took off the AC pulley and put that one in place of the PS pulley. Mind you, they are the different size and the back adapter/spacer donot match exactly. so u got to mix and match so that the back does not rub against the bracket.
nothing too complex.
Good Luck.
Ali.

The pulley on the belt tightening mechanism for my LJ78 cruiser is kinda broke and half the bearings are missing (see picture to come). Any idea where I could get a replacement piece as it is a workout doing this driving without power steering!

 

[wildthing]

Bearing Replacement

Hey Ali, good call that was exactly what happened to me. My garage took off the pulley, noticed the bearing was shot and asked me to poke around for a replacement (they know now that I'll do that and save them all the staff time to find pieces and bits, then they reward me with pretty low labour costs). I went to the local bearing shop, and they put a new one in for $15 labour, whole thing was less than $30. Now I have to get that new belt put back on and this time I'll have power steering. Man you get good sized arms by wheeling this thing around in manual mode. Total cost including the new bearing and .5 hour labour and the new belt is probably around $100. Considering 2/3 of that is cost for parts, I don't feel too bad.

Ali, how many miles does your cruiser have on it? This pulley looks way worn for the miles I'm supposed to have.