The power steering belt on a 1989 Jeep runs from the crankshaft pulley and crosses the water-pump pulley before looping over the power-steering-pump pulley near the top of the engine, on the driver's side. The belt can stretch over time and begin to slip. If this happens, adjust the belt to pull the slack out of the belt. If you cannot tighten the belt enough to bring it into the manufacturer's specified tension level, you might need to replace the belt.
Tools Used: Wrench set, Socket set, Ratchet, Pry bar, Straight edge, Ruler or tape measure
Adjust Power Steering Belt
Loosen the retaining bolt on the negative battery cable, and disconnect it. Isolate the negative cable from the battery while you work to avoid an accidental start-up of the engine while your hands are on the belts.
Locate the mounting bolt and adjuster bolt on the front of the power-steering-pump bracket. Loosen them with a socket wrench, but do not remove them.
Insert a pry bar between the bracket of the pump and the engine block. Pull the pump out until the belt is tight, using the pry bar. Do not pry on the pump reservoir, or damage will occur to the soft metal case.
Tighten the mounting and adjusting bolts with a socket wrench. Remove the pry bar from the engine compartment.
Check the tension on the belt by placing a straight edge from the water-pump pulley to the power-steering pulley. Press down on the center of the belt, and measure from the straight edge to the belt. There should be 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch deflection in the belt. Anything more, and the belt is not tight enough.
Install the negative battery cable on the negative battery terminal, and tighten the retaining bolt with a wrench.
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