Power Steering Going Bad? Options

[mkernz22]

Recently, when I'm driving and I take a corner, the power steering (sounds like the pump) will make this loud, horrendous screeching sound for a second. While it makes that sound for a second, my steering gets very stiff and it's hard to continue turning. I have a feeling the pump maybe going. It happens moreso when the car first starts up. Maybe the cold weather is just effecting it right now? cause I never had a problem in the warmer weather.

[presure2]

prolly just the belt slipping.

[mkernz22]

It's not a big deal if that happens, is it?

[aww_shoook_em]

check your Power Steering Reservoir..

it might look like that there might be power steering fluid in it but looks can be decieving..
Im having the same problem.. because I found some leakage on my power steering rack

[96stgreendemon]

I had the same problem, its your belts, buy some goodyear gatorbacks and call it a day

[mak5603]

When my power steering pump went bad and had to be replaced, I knew because the fluid was leaking and fumes of burning power steering fluid were coming through my vents when I was at a stop. Like already stated, sounds like your belt.

[95CelicaST]

Delete power steering. Problem solved!


Or you can replace the belt... If you want....

[mkernz22]

I've contemplated deleting the power steering...

[95CelicaST]

Been there in a celica... Slow turns require lots of upper body strength.

[mkernz22]

i bet they do lol

[justin3]

any updates on what it was? im having the same problem and just wanted to know what was the issue afterall?

[mkernz22]

probs the belt, it's fine after it warms up

[Hanyo]

To answer your original question.

Yes, cold weather affects your belts. When it gets cold the rubber on your belt gets harder and less sticky. Therefore it will squeak and slip more when its cold.

When belts make noise it is usually a sign that the belt needs to be replaced. The noise comes from have stretched harden rubber on the belts.

A simple test to see if your belts need to be replaced is the WD-40 test. What you do is apply some wd40 onto the ribs of your belts with the engine running. If your problems are suddenly solved then you know its time to replace the belts. However if the wd40 makes the problem worse you need to tighten your belts.

Why this test works is because wd40 can swell up rubber. When you apply wd40 on belts; it will soak into rubber and temperately repairing them giving them grip again. If your problems has gotten worse with the WD40 then you know that new belts will not solve your problem, and that your problems come from slipping belt.

[rave2n]

I've had the same issue and just recently fixed it.

May not be the case for you, but worth checking out.

For the last years I've had my vehicle it would do the same thing when the weather was cold. I got a new pump, new belt, fluid the works..

Guess what it was....The alternator belt was loose, and simply needed to be tighten via the bolt under the alternator I was unaware of until recently...

8 Turns and it was gone...after spending lots of dough, blood, frustration, and grease...8 turns fixed it..

This post has been edited by rave2n: Dec 28, 2010 - 1:03 PM

[mkernz22]

I'll definitely check it all out, thanks you guys
It doesn't do it every day either, just when it's cold and I turn the wheel all the way.

[justin3]

i think thats what is wrong with mine cuz it also does that screechy noise when i turn the AC on and then it goes away, could that be the same problem?

[mkernz22]

probably the belt that goes to the A/C and Alt.

[96stgreendemon]

to replace the AC belt you have to remove all the belts anyways, just replace all of them, and definitely go with goodyear gator-back belts, cannot recommend them enough

[mkernz22]

to replace the AC belt you have to remove all the belts anyways, just replace all of them, and definitely go with goodyear gator-back belts, cannot recommend them enough

Do they make them shorter so that it doesn't go to the A/C? cause mines never going to work again lol

[96stgreendemon]

Yeah, just have to figure out the size you need, i have a thread somewhere in engine discussion that has the sizes