Accessory Drive Belt - `V' Ribbed Belt Cracking

87ford12

ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT - "V" RIBBED BELT Article No.
CRACKING 87-1-8

FORD 1983 FAIRMONT; 1983-86 LTD; 1983-87 ESCORT, EXP, MUSTANG, THUNDERBIRD, CROWN VICTORIA; 1984-87 TEMPO; 1986-87 TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY 1983 LN7, ZEPHYR, MARK VI; 1983-86 CAPRI, MARQUIS; 1983-87 LYNX, GRAND MARQUIS, COUGAR, LINCOLN TOWN CAR; 1984-87 TOPAZ, MARK VII; 1986-87 SABLE

MERKUR 1985-87 XR4Ti

LIGHT TRUCK 1987 E SERIES, F SERIES

ISSUE: Minor cracks of the accessory belt ribs are a normal wear condition. Besides the normal cracking, Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles may also have a build-up of belt dust (a black, fluffy-looking material) in the general path of the accessory drive belt.

Figure 3:

ACTION: This belt dust and the minor belt cracking does not require the accessory drive belt to be replaced. Replacing the belt is only necessary after cracking has caused "rib chunk out", see Figure 3. When two or more ribs next to each other lose a section 1-1/2 inch or longer, the belt should be replaced.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"