The other night, I snapped my power steering belt while doing about 60 on back-country roads at 1am. Needless to say, 5000 lbs. of MB does not take sharp curves at this speed very well without power-steering.

I got the car home and bought a belt (Actually, I got all of them, when one goes bad, the rest are sure to be close behind).

The alternator and A/C were easy to change, but I cannot seem to get the power steering pump to move. I have released the two tension adjusting bolts more than necessary, but the pump will not move. These belts were replaced about 3 years ago by my mechanic, so I know the pump moved at least once before.

Is there a trick I am missing? Anyone with insight on the 240D, W115 power steering pump would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

------------------
William
76 240D - 550K miles
78 300D - 200K+ miles

Is there a treaded rod type of attachment anywhere that you can see?

Cannot see any in front, top, bottom, left, or right side.... cannot get good view behind.

The front plate has slots that the two retaining bolts can pivot in, but no threaded adjuster that I can see.

------------------
William
76 240D - 550K miles
78 300D - 200K+ miles

William,
My Engine Service Manual covers the Model 115.1 engine. It shows a picture of the power steering pump with a bolt near the top and one near the bottom. The instructions are:
1. Loosen fastening screws (1 and 2).[These are the bolt referred to above].

2. For tensioning V-belt, push power steering pump outwards by means of a lever.

3. Tighten fastening screws (1 and 2).

That's all.

Perhaps it is just lodged in place and is going to take a bit of prying to break it loose.

I realize this may not be much help, but it is what the MB manual prescribes.

Good luck.

------------------
Ted
1979 240D

Thanks, I guess I'll just have to get a bigger pry bar....

------------------
William
76 240D - 550K miles
78 300D - 200K+ miles

Okay,
This sucker will not budge! I cant get it into the shop because my mechanic is over 40 miles away and can't get me in until next week. I am not going to let any of these locals break my car!

Any more suggestions? The belt was just replaced a few months ago. Both of the screws are at least 1/8 inch clear of the mounting shroud and my 30-in. pry bar was bending -- the pump did not move!

HELP!!!!!

------------------
William
76 240D - 550K miles
78 300D - 200K+ miles

William,

I'm not familiar with the 115, but on my 108 there was a third bolt. One at the top, one lower right (looking in from grille)and the third just left of the pump. All were 13mm and that last one was tough to get at.

Side note: once all three were loosened, the pump still would not budge. Determined that the wrong belts had been put on by prior owner or PO's mechanic. I could not put any slack into the belts as the pump was bottomed out already. Ended up having to remove the fan and clutch to remove belts. Proper belts are now installed.

Also, if the belts are too tight, the pump can be damaged. Learned that one the hard way.

------------------
Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

Okay, first of all, thanks for those who helped.

I found the solution, and want to share with others who may have this problem in the future.

To change the power steering belt, first securely raise the car on ramps or quality jack stands. Next,loosen the two 17mm bolts on the front of the pump (located at 11:00 and 5:00). Next, loosen the 14mm bolt on the rear-center of the pump. Lastly, loosen the 10mm bolt (located on rear-side) adjuster waaaaay out (almost completely) and the pump 'glides' into position. Put the new belt in place and reverse the proceedure to tension belt and secure pump in housing.

It took me two weeks to get this done, but I feel like I moved a mountain......

------------------
William
76 240D - 550K miles
78 300D - 200K+ miles

William,

Now that I read your solution, it finally dawned on me that the replacement pump I got from the dismantler came attached to a bracket off a 115. And, now I remember there was the one 14mm bolt and spacer securing the pump to the bracket. Anywhoo, turns out there was "one more bolt" in the equation. Thanks for the closure on mountain moving .

------------------
Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

[This message has been edited by MikeTangas (edited 07-06-2000).]