How to Remove the Power Steering Belt on a 2003 Dodge Stratus With a 2.4 DOHC

The power steering belt on the 2003 Dodge Stratus is driven by the crankshaft pulley. To access and remove the power steering belt, it is necessary remove the belt splash guard from underneath the vehicle.

Instructions

Removal

1

Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Raise the vehicle with the floor jack. Place jack stands under the front frame rails of the vehicle, then lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands.

2

Locate the accessory splash guard on the passenger's side of the engine and remove the four retaining bolts with a 12 mm socket and ratchet. Lower the splash guard from the engine.

3

Find the power steering pump towards the front of the engine. Loosen the front adjuster bolt with the 14 mm socket and ratchet. Loosen the rear adjusting nut with the 14 mm socket and ratchet. Loosen the upper mounting bolt with the 15 mm socket and ratchet.

4

Pull the bottom of the power steering pump, by hand, towards the crankshaft pulley to loosen the tension on the belt. Pull the belt off the power steering pulley and then off the crankshaft pulley.

Installation

5

Place the power steering belt over the power steering pulley and crankshaft pulley.

6

Attach the 1/2 inch breaker bar to the hole in the adjusting bracket and pull the power steering pump towards the front of the engine until the belt is tight. Tighten the front adjuster bolt and the rear adjuster nut just tight enough to hold tension on the power steering belt.

7

Tighten the front adjuster bolt to 40 foot-pounds of torque with the 14 mm socket and torque wrench. Tighten the rear adjuster nut to 35 foot-pounds of torque with the 14 mm socket and torque wrench. Tighten the power steering pump upper mounting bolt to 40 foot-pounds of torque with the 15 mm socket and torque wrench.

8

Place the engine belt splash guard into position and install the mounting bolts with the 12 mm socket and ratchet.

9

Lift the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the floor jack from under the vehicle. Lift the hood off the prop rod and latch the vehicle hood.