Realigning Pulley

[MajBach]

My power steering pulley is definitely out of alignment; the pictures really do not demonstrate it fully. I got the boat in the water and started it up and the squeaking was immediate and louder than it ever was (perhaps because the engine compartment was open) so I took some aim with a can of belt dressing, targeting the pulley face itself and not the belt hoping that if it was not the power steering pulley, any noise reduction from the spray wont be so stark. The moment it hit the pulley, the squealing stopped. Up until this point, I wasn't positive what was making the noise.
So the manual states I need a tool to align the pulley, but I am having difficulty visualizing how it works. Do I have to pull the pulley off first? There is an allen key bolt (perhaps 3/8") that the pulley is pressed fit onto but of course if I turn this, so does the pulley and I do not see the the assembly move either in or out. I should point out (since the pictures do not make it clear) that the pulley does not appear to be bent or angled, but just sticking out further than the others. When I look at it end-on during operation, there is no wobble.

So how does the pulley work itself out in only 50 hours of running?

The last picture is of the PS pump from a different angle looking towards the rear where it mounts onto the bracket. There seems to be a spacer there. I cannot get a view of any other bolts but I am sure there are.

Looking for explanation on how to realign pulley (which appears to be just having to move it inwards 1/4 inch) and how it fell out of alignment in the first place.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Realigning Pulley

From the first photo it looks like the bracket got bent or a mounting bolt is loose , the left edge of the pulley is almost even with the pulley next to it while the right side is protruding. Remove the belt and feel around where the mounting bolts are and see if one is loose or even missing. That "spacer" may be another bracket and go between the nut and PS bracket rather than between them which would cause the out of alignment. Did someone recently do some work on the motor or has it just gotten worse over time since you got the boat?

 

[Don S]

Re: Realigning Pulley

Also make sure ALL of the bracket bolts are tight BEFORE you install the belt and tighten it.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Realigning Pulley


When ya make shure the brackets and spacers are all ok,if it needs to be moved,you need this puller/installer. Any automotive parts store has the,some may rent ya one.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Realigning Pulley

From the first photo it looks like the bracket got bent or a mounting bolt is loose , the left edge of the pulley is almost even with the pulley next to it while the right side is protruding. Remove the belt and feel around where the mounting bolts are and see if one is loose or even missing. That "spacer" may be another bracket and go between the nut and PS bracket rather than between them which would cause the out of alignment. Did someone recently do some work on the motor or has it just gotten worse over time since you got the boat?

When I was taking the photos and while watching it in operation, the pulley looked to be only protruding but that picture does seem pretty conclusive it is canted. I had a very difficult time with the belt off trying to determine how many and where the mounting bolts were. I think I just plain gave up too soon.
Yes, the pump was replaced as part of the sale of the boat and has only 50 hrs on it.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Realigning Pulley

View attachment 199837
When ya make shure the brackets and spacers are all ok,if it needs to be moved,you need this puller/installer. Any automotive parts store has the,some may rent ya one.

Is it pretty universal or do I need to ask for something specific? I may as well just invest in one.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Realigning Pulley

Oh one more thing: Probably good idea to get another belt but I cannot seem to cross ref the Mercruiser 57-863876-4 part number to any other than Sierra. And, I'm having a bit of conflicting info on ensuring that is the correct belt to begin with.
The pic is awful, I know, but between that one and a couple of others, Im pretty sure I got that number correct, but it doesnt jive with part #s and engine serial numbers from charts. For example:
Mercruiser Serpentine Belt Application Chart or this one:
http://www.palmerpower.com/mercruiser-inboards/serp-belts
Heck, I cant even find a chart that has a 2001 5.0L Alpha with a serial in that range!
Mine is a 2002 (perhaps 2001) Maxum 230 SC. Engine Serial no: 0M333475 (5.0L Alpha Gen II)

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Realigning Pulley

Is it pretty universal or do I need to ask for something specific? I may as well just invest in one.

They are pretty much universal,they also work on bravo seawater pumps. Its an automotive puller/installer, and the same parts are used on your boat
Grub

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Realigning Pulley

In 30 years of service & repair on mercruiser

I've NEVER seen an instance where the pulley itself

needed to be realigned - they dont move once installed

what you have is either a bracket and/or pump to bracket - mounting problem

 

[MajBach]

Re: Realigning Pulley

Found the part and will proceed accordingly, based on your advice. Thanks.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Realigning Pulley

I'm in my boat today and did some work with the pump. I wish I could state I made progress. There are three bolts holding this to the bracket , 2 in the rear and one in the front. All are tight. The two in the rear appear to have a red spacer between the pump housing and the bracket but this looks quite intentional. I considered trying to remove this spacer but that would make the pump housing mate flush to the bracket. However, the width of the spacer is about the same as the amount the puller sits out too far.
The other peculiar observation was in the front there are two threaded holes with no bolts and no part of the bracket to mate to. Perhaps these are universal mounting bolts for other engines?
I also purchased a pulley remover kit for ford and gms but it doesn't appear to work with this set up. Although I have the necessary hardware to pull the pulley off, the instructions describe finding the correct threaded pin to insert into the pulley centre. The pulley on this pump has a Allen key of hex hole, not a thread. So, I left it alone. I'm not even sure the pulley will go on the shaft deeper. But I wouldn't know how to tell either.
I know the dealer that sold me the boat replaced the PS pump as he learned the old one was shot. Perhaps he grabbed a used one that was a close fit?
I believed the squeaking that started me down this road was a problem that developed with the pump since there was no noise for the first 50 hours of use. But perhaps the problem existed all along but the belt just didn't squeak? I have a new belt here. Will install tomorrow Any insight will still help however.

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Realigning Pulley

i would suggest as a first step:

get the engine serial number

look at the parts diagram

see what spacers etc... should be there - as set up by mercruiser

 

[MajBach]

Re: Realigning Pulley

Cdiamond was correct. I did not realize that one of the bolts on the front was on the pivot arm that was mount the block. After I loosened all three bolts I could realign the pulley. I then discovered that if I tightened the lower rear bolt too much it pulled the pulley back out of alignment. I found the sweet spot and everything is just fine now thanks to all that helped.

 

[achris]

Re: Realigning Pulley

If you're looking for a replacement belt, use a Gates 6PK1930. It's EXACTLY the same as the Merc original, at about half the price.

Chris......