Power Steering is Squeaking Options

[aspen]

My power steering has been squeaking when I crank the wheel left or right, although it occasionally squeaks just after I've started the car or when the steering is under a bit of a load.

The fluid is fine. My dad's suggestion was to check the belt tension, could this lead to it and would it be a valid reason?


TiA!

[Jared95]

bump i have looked into it as well and can't find much wrong normally just happens on cold mornings?

[aspen]

Mines more pronounced on cold mornings, but it happens every time. It's been getting a little bit worse lately. Squeaking more often.

[aspen]

Well, I searched through the manual, and found a nice specification thing:

Chirp in Loose or worn power Adjust or replace if
Steering Pump steering belt necessary



Now, to figure out how to do that....

[xs94st]

it might be your belt. if it squeaks when you are turning, its probably that. give it a good inspection n if it looks dry/cracked

[aspen]

I checked, the belt seems fine, but the tension of it isn't.

I quickly looked through the manual but didn't find how to adjust the tensioner. Any advice?

[alltracman78]

Loosen pivot and lock bolts, pry the pump as tight as you can [away from the engine], tighten lock bolt, check tension, if good, tighten pivot bolt.

[aspen]

I searched for those in the manual but didn't find them... Could you be a bit more specific? Thanks!

[Celiracer18]

mine does this too
i think ill tighten it up tomorrow and ill take pics for you

[SteveHall]

It's a real pain to tigten, I found there is a plate you can attach a large adjustable spanner to to get some leverage, unlike the alternator, where there is a bolt to tighten the belt.

There are two bolts on the pump (at least there are on UK models). The top bolt is the pivot bolt and can be reached through the top, however the bottom bolt (lock bolt) is a pain to get at, and it far easer to go under the car to find it.

[Legit94GT]

This use to happen to me all the time on my first car, especially on cold mornings. like every says check your belt and tighten it if you need to, but that is not what did it for me, what worked for me was going to the local car store and buying Lucas Power Steering fluid... take out alot of your current power steering fluid and pour in like the whole bottle of this stuff. It is ALOT thicker than the normal stuff and it works...

Once i poured it in and drove it around a bit got it all worked in, i didn't have any squeak:) just something to keep in mind

[94TRDcelica]

I did this yesterday because I had a squeaking belt!

1. Jack the car up and remove the wheel (Drivers side UK, Passenger side US).
2. Remove the under tray bolts including the two located in the wheel arch!
3. Get a light under there and you will see the power steering belt, pulley and pump. The pump is located just above the crossmember.
4. Get a 14mm (I think or 17mm) spanner, something with a longish handle and undo but don't remove the bolt that clamps the pump in place, It should be sitting just below and to the side of the pulley and be in a slightly curved mounting bracket - This is the tensioner.
5. Once you have released the tension the unit will probably move but for a bit more freeplay loosen the bolt at the top of the pump, located slightly above the pullley.
6. To change the belt your going to have to take off the alternator/fan belt, this is easier - Just loosen the alternator tensioner pulleyand the belt should slide right off.
7. back under the car, remove the fan belt from the crank pulley and pop on new power steering belt.
8. Ensure the V lines match and line correctly on the pulley rails.
9. Once the belt is on push the pump unit up to provide tension on the belt. Using a long/strong screwdriver wedged in the track of the lower bolt mount you can pry the pump to its maximum position, or as much as is required to prevent slipping. Then using the spanner retighten the bolt.
10. Check for any slippage by moving the belt, it should be real tight! If not re-adjust using the previosus steps. If OK - tighten up top bolt.
11. Check all lines going to the pump are in good condition and connected.
12. re-instal the fan belt around the cracnk pulley up to the AC (If you have it) to the tensioner pulley and around the alternator pullley and tension up again.
13. Turn ignition on and do a quick test turning the wheels for any odd noises.
14. re-instal under tray and wheel.
15. Jack down.
16. Go for a drive and feel the difference!

If you need to replace the power steering fluid its a good idea to do this now! Fluid should be a thick deep red kind of colour. If its black it needs changing!

[aspen]

Awesome! Thanks very much!

[ETNRIDER]

If you need to replace the power steering fluid its a good idea to do this now! Fluid should be a thick deep red kind of colour. If its black it needs changing!

How would you recommend to flush the fluid? Mine is real bad and I need to do a flush ASAP.

Great write up!

[ETNRIDER]

Anyone have any ideas??

I know you never want the pump to go dry but I didn’t know if I could just pull the hose off and run it into a bucket while pouring new fluid in. Wait for the new fluid to start flowing out into the bucket and then reconnect everything, fill and bleed as necessary. I checked the manual and it doesn’t say too much (as usual ).

Thanks all!

[ETNRIDER]

[96stgreendemon]

its definately the belt, i just replaced all 3 of mine and it was 7 9 and 20 for the belts, and you do need 3 of them, this is your problem

[xrav22]

This will sound dumb but mine had a dirty reservoir and it looked like the level was ok but it was really almost dry.
Shake your car and make sure you can see fluid sloshing. Mine made a weird sound until I discovered that.

[ETNRIDER]

I am going to change the belt this weekend but while I am at it I was going to change my fluid. Mine is real bad, it looks like a dark honey and is not very viscous. My power steering pump is whining a little so it may be getting ready to go out but I want to make it last as long as possible.

Thank for the help!

[ETNRIDER]

Got my belts today and I found this in another topic....

"unhook the return line, put it in a bucket, pull the efi/htr fuse and crank the engine a couple times. put in new fluid, empty the bucket, crank a few times. do this till it runs clear. now put the return line back on and then fill the reservoir. start the car and turn the wheels back and forth, then top the fluid. take it for a drive with lots of turns, top the fluid if needed. "

So I am going to try to change my fluid tonight too.