My thanks to all who responded to my request for
help with installing belts on my stranded van.  The
instructions were very helpful, and the job was easier
than it initially looked.

I replaced all three belts.  I wasn't quite convinced I
had them tight enough, but I put in all the force I could
tightening them, and they seem to be at least reasonably
tight, and they're squeek-free.  Thanks to the advice from
the list, I now have a new VW maintenence skill to add to
my repertoire - and with the record this van has had, I
seem to need all the maintenence skills I can get.  I think
I'll put a giant hex key for that air conditioner bolt on my
shopping list, too - I used vice grips this time, and the
result wasn't pretty.

The little plastic shield over the A/C pulley was shattered
when the belts broke; do I need to replace it, or am I OK
without it?  (It's a relatively new air conditioner, and I don't
recall the old one having a shield.)

Thanks again for the help.

                           -Steven Sittser