kevkin

Getting tired of potholes knocking my power steering pump belt off the pully. First gen 2006 xB bought new in '05. It has had 4 suspension kits on it, each a bit lower than the previous. I have a difficult time replacing belt. Independent mechanics do too. Had Toyota do it last time but it is off again. It looks like it just makes contact with the axle and only comes off when I het a good bump. I had seen a post where a Yaris electric pump would fit. Anyone have any contact info for anyone who has swapped this pump out?
Here's an aside for those wishing to just eliminate the pump. I started driving in 1965 and including a 1950 Cadillac Factory Limo (Body by Fisher) with manual steering, I have never seen anything as hard to steer as my xB without power steering.
Thanks for any help!
Kevin

RichBinAZ

I wonder how hard it would be to steer with all the fluid drained out of the rack - say just a nominal amount left in for lubrication.

Also, those belts need to be super tight. I use one of those Krikit belt tension gages during and after. Getting the right tension is hard