Steering: Power steering belt broke. Steering is easier now. Huh?

[FunkyWilly]

I was at a car show yesterday with my 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk and a guy says to me "there's a fan belt under your car." I checked and found this broken belt on the ground under the engine. It appears to be for the power steering (see photo of the pulleys missing the belt). The belt has has this marking: "STUDEBAKER 1548513" and says Made in USA. Is it possible that this is an original 61-year old belt?

I drove home, expecting to have to strong-arm the steering, but surprisingly, the steering seemed lighter and easier than it had been before. I thought the steering had been hard lately, especially at low speeds. I wonder if the old belt have been somehow restricting movement rather than facilitating it? Any thoughts on why it was easier to steer without the belt?

I googled the belt number and found this replacement: https://www.vbeltguys.com/products/1...tive-v-belt

[FunkyWilly]

The belt is about $6 at the link above. Studebaker International has the belt for about $25, and I can get one on Amazon for about $10. Any recommendations about the best source for quality belts? Or are they all just made in the same Chinese factory these days?

[Jeffry Cassel]

Might want to look into the control valve- could be stuck. I can assure you that the replacement will not last 62 years! Got fluid (merc-Dex)?

[FunkyWilly]

Thanks. Yes, the power steering fluid is topped off. I checked that when I thought the steering was a bit stiff at low speeds (before I found the broken belt).

[JoeHall]

With the rusty pulley sheeve as a clue, surely you have figured it out by now? If not, the belt has obviously been broken for quite sometime, and likely been laying in the frame somewhere, till it decided to fall on the ground at the car show. I think someone else already mentioned this to you over on FaceBook.

[StudeRich]

Either that or, it has been so Loose for so long that the pulleys rusted up, so the Pump never got up to full pressure.

Yes that IS an Original Studebaker belt but they were sold well into the '70's and beyond, so it's not possible to know if it came with the Car originally, but probably Did!

[Dwain G.]

Likely the pump or one of the other components is trying to seize making the pump work harder until the belt gave up. That would account for easier steering without the pump turning.

[skyway]

Mebbe easier, but with a LOT more slop; yes?

[FunkyWilly]

Mebbe easier, but with a LOT more slop; yes?

I'll let you know how it compares once I get the new belt on. I bought a Gates belt, and the car is with my mechanic now for fitment. Plus checking other belts and hoses as needed.