1. Funny noise while on the interstate. Power steering disappears. After arrival at destination, crank pully (HB) --> AC compressor v-belt found sitting on splashguard, twisted around it's axis and looking like a mobius strip (but not infinite). No cracking or tears, but evidence of trauma to both outer edges of belt and traces of rubber on crank pulley (HB).

2. With adjustments fully loose for both p/s pump and a/c compressor, can't get a/c compressor close enough to engine to get replacement belt on. Tried with two different belts, both #17385 (1/2" x 39 1/8").

clues:

Pulleys aren't lined up perfect, but they're not too far off. About 6 months ago I replaced all of the accessory bushings with HD (but not poly) bushings from IPD. All the v-belts went on fine then.

The harmonic balancer is not separated from rubber center. The old one went out about a year ago and was replaced with a good JY one along with a timing belt change. The inner and outer portions are marked and the marks haven't moved.

Ideas? TIA.

-KoH