El Burro hit exactly 200,000 miles today. For a 96 XJ I am hoping there is a lot left in this truck. But on the way home today the bearing on the power steering pump failed. The shaft went out of whack and fluid made a total mess under the hood. Sounded like a box of rocks for the last six miles home. Thankfully my favorite auto parts store on the way home had a replacement and the pulley tools.

But as I was making the repair last night I got to thinking, is there an alternative size serpentine belt that could be installed to bypass the power steering and A/C compressor? A belt that would serve as an emergency "get home" belt and kept on board for such a situation. Anyone explored this idea? Are the pulleys arranged such that this is possible?

Were there any non-powersteering XJ's to look at for this idea? Does anyone have a non-power steering and non-A/C model to send a picture of the belt routing diagram?

Just doing a bit of "what if" preparation.

Thanks.

B N
96 XJ Sport 2 Door 4.0L
4" RE lift 10.5 x 31 Silent Armor

 

I used to own a 1984 Nissan truck, and a 1990 Mitsubishi Mighty Max, neither had power steering, didn't even realize it until I look under the hood.

Both required a LITTLE more effort to steer than a power steering vehicle, makes me wonder why I need power steering at all, those 2 trucks had small P225 R15 tires though.