I have a '84 300 td wagon(beautiful). i snapped a belt on the interstate. lost power steering. i immediately coasted off the exit and into a parking lot. it apears i have lost 2 belts, one is still attached. my manual specifies belt sizes.
can i go to an auto parts store with these belt sizes and replace them tonight? what do i need to accomplish this task i.e. tools and such. I should also inform you that my wife and i are on our honeymoon, and this is just adding fuel to the fire.
we are currenty stuck far from home in Bristol, VA.

thanks - James

I'm assuming you threw an alternator belt along with the powersteering?

They should be Gates #'s 9451 & 7380 if you can't cross the factory numbers.

As for tools, a couple 13mm, a 17mm and an 18mm should bet you by.

Spin the alternator and p.s. pump by hand before you intall the new belts to make sure either isn't locked up.

Congrats on your marriage!

jim

When you get home let us know how much you want for the Benz - lol.

You will find out on this trip what kind of a sense of humor/adventure your wife has. That is one of the great things about owning an old car. Everytime you leave the house you stand the chance of having an adventure although I will say I have never had one leave me stranded.

__________________
Jim

I believe you should have a total of 4 belts:

2 for the waterpump/alternator

1 for the power-steering pump

1 for the AC compressor

You can limp around without the AC and power-steering (with strong arms). I've also driven home with one of the two waterpump/alternator missing. Do you know which belts are missing?

thank you, this trip has been a comedy of errors but still very enjoyable.

- James

as for the # of belts. it appears to be the 2 closest to the fan that are obliterated. i need to walk back over and get a second look. if it is just these two, can i safely limp it to a more ideal location?

thanks again, sarah is very funny and this incident seems secondary to the other follies we have encountered so far.

thanks again,
james

That is good. Hopefully, if you are lucky she will be the same way in 20 years. If the belt that turns the alternator and water pump is still intact you should be able to continue to drive the car. If memory serves me right (I'd have to walk out to the shop to look) the two front belts are the pwr steering and a/c compressor. You should be able to continue on without them as long as you don't mind working on the biceps and don't need the a/c.
Good luck.

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Jim

It sounds like you got lucky. Just to verify, the two outer belts go to the power-steering (driver's side top) and AC compressor (driver's side bottom). The inner two belts drive both the waterpump (directly behind the fan) and the alternator (passenger's side bottom). If the waterpump/alternator belts are intact, you should be able to drive without hurting anything. Make sure there are no loose pieces of belt to knock off the good belts. Keep and eye on the temperature gauge and alternator light to make sure the other belts are OK. Be careful driving with out power-steering, it takes a lot of effort to turn.

ok the final look . it appears there is actually one belt left, the inner most belt(farthest away from the fan). does that last belt run both the alternator and the water pump or just the alternator?

-James

That belt runs both the alternator and the water pump. There should be two belts, but you can get by on one, provided you watch the temperature gauge and alternator light. I have driven mine home (1000 miles) on one belt. You should be able to get to a shop without any problem.

Thanks you very much, i'm going to get some sleep. you have been a excellent resource. I'll try and post some pics of the wagon later(factory tinted windows).

-James and Sarah

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

Sleep????? I thought you said you were on your honeymoon?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

to get your bride in the picture.
Would not want her to think the car is prettier than her. LOL

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Engatwork you took my idea.....

Boneheaddoctor lives in Northern Va. Maybe he could help you out if you need it. Drop him a PM.

Cheers,

Bill