The Accord is a brand of the Honda mid-size car family. The 1998 through 2002 Accord's were a part of Honda's Sixth Generation of cars. The 1998 Accord comes standard with a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 135 horsepower. The 2.3-liter engine is equipped with drive belts that operate engine accessories such as the power steering pump, alternator and air-conditioning compressor. Inspect the drive belts on a consistent basis and replace the belts at the first sign of damage.
Instructions
- 1
Park the 1998 Honda Accord and shut off the engine. Set the parking brake and open the hood. Wait for the engine to cool off before working near the engine compartment.
2Locate the power steering pump on the top passenger side of the engine. Loosen the pivot bolt from the bottom of the power steering pump bracket with a ratchet and a socket.
3Loosen the slide bracket bolt on the top of the power steering pump with a ratchet and a socket.
4Insert the tip of a pry bar between the top side of the power steering pump and the top side of the power steering pump bracket. Pull downward on the pry bar in order for the loosened slide bracket bolt to slide through the slide bracket and release the tension from the belt. Once the belt is loose enough, pull it off of the power steering pump pulley and the crankshaft pulley. Pull the belt out of the engine compartment. Leave the pry bar in place.
5Wrap the new belt around the crankshaft pulley and the power steering pump pulley. Pry rearward on the power steering pump with a pry bar to slide the loosened slide bracket bolt through the slide and to tighten the belt. Once the belt is tight, position the pry bar so it holds the tension on the belt while you tighten the top power steering pivot bolt to 16 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket. Tighten the pivot bolt to 16 foot-pounds. Remove the pry bar.
6Inspect the belt to ensure it is inside the groove on the crankshaft and power steering pump pulleys. Check the tension on the belt by pushing inward on the belt with your hand. The belt should have no more than one-half inch of deflection at its longest span. In other words, the belt should have no more than one-half inch of slack in it. If there is more than one-half inch of slack, loosen both bolts on the power steering pump and repeat Step 5.
7Start the engine and inspect the power steering pump belt with the engine running to make sure it remains seated inside of both pulleys. Let the engine run for about 30 seconds, then turn off the engine. Recheck the tension on the belt with your hand. Adjust as needed to keep the half-inch of deflection in the belt. Close the hood.
