Peculiar power steering problem

"DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever" (eg6) 02/15/2020 at 12:02 • Filed to: None

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So a few weeks ago my power steering belt started squealing when ever I started it in the morning and it was cold, but would stop after about 10-20 seconds. I decided I should change the accessory belts, also worth noting, while it was squealing I’d lose power steering when making very sharp turns (like backing out of a parking space), but only while it was making the noise. Also the noise would get worse when the wheel was cut sharply, so I’m certain it’s the culprit and not the alternator or something.

Anyway, I procrastinated replacing the belts (figured I’d just do them all) until yesterday. By then it had gotten to were it’d squeal on start up regardless of temperature, but would still go away pretty quickly and I’d loose power steering with the wheel cut sharply and the belt squealing.

So anyway, the belt for the PS pump from rock auto was too short, I replaced the A/C and alternator belts, but put the old PS belt back on while I wait to return it, or whatever I wind up doing.

The odd thing is that after putting the old belt back on, the squealing is completely gone, even in the cold. However, now I always lose power steering during sharp turns, but there’s still no belt noise.

I just wanted to ask y’all if this is a sign that perhaps the pump itself is bad and not the belt? Although I can’t really wrap my head around why the noise would stop completely, but power steering would cut out more often.

DipodomysDeserti > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 12:07

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My guess is the pulley is seizing , which is causing the belt to sometimes squeal.

jimz > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 12:14

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the loss of power steering in turns might actually be a bad spool valve in the steering gear.  

sn4cktimes > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 12:14

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This is a great loaf pic

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 12:33

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I had an old Benz that did all this— and I replaced belts, used “conditioners” etc... but ultimately it was the tensioner. The old one seemed to keep tension, but apparently it had enough ‘stick-tion’ in it not to be effective. New tensioner, belt re-installed to spec and that was the end of it.

The increase in drag from the PS pump on turns would also amplify the problem.

DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 02/15/2020 at 12:57

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Should’ve mentioned the power steering doesn’t have a tensioner, it’s just one of those you can adjust the position of the pump to adjust the tension.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 13:05

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Mrs. SBA’s Quest van (3.5) drove me crazy trying to get the tension right.  Did eventually resolve, but what a PITA.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > sn4cktimes 02/15/2020 at 13:05

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I don’t see how to get the Mentos into the Coke cans that way, though...

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 15:20

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I’ve had some trouble like this in my Jaguar (1985). It’s better since all new belts but still shrieks a little turning out of my garage cold. I haven’t had a chance to get in there to see if it needs to be tightened again.

Victorinoo > DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever 02/15/2020 at 15:22

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I owned a camry with a power steering pump like this. The issue was that I was not putting enough tension on the belt. You need a pry bar when installing the belt to get enough tension on the pump before tightening it down.

sn4cktimes > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 02/16/2020 at 13:23

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This rocket cat’s eyes already tell me she’s “ sky-high” on life.