2001 QX4 when turning wheels I'm getting a squealing

[Empty V]

So I've had this issue for a really long time. I had my old mechanic check it out and he told me that if it's something that I can live with it's not worth the money to fix it. Funny he said that because this is the guy that wanted to charge me $360 in labor alone to change out my shocks and struts, $360!

So what's happening is when I turn my wheel in either direction I get a squealing noise. I'm not sure where it's coming from. It's not loud enough to hear while driving but definitely audible while not in motion.

Does anyone know what this is and how to fix it?

Billy

[carnal_c30]

is it easier to replicate the sound when the wheel is being turned while the car is stationary? I'm wondering if its powersteering related if it happens when turning the wheel.

[SnowSurfLax]

My guess is it's the pump just making noise, which would explain why he said what he did.

If you can live with the noise, just wait for the PS pump to go out in, say, 50K - 100K miles and get a new one and then you'll have no more noise.

Or you can replace the pump and my guess would be somewhere around the $500 range for parts and labor, likely higher.

[Chuck Tribolet]

I'm thinking a slipping power steering pump belt. The pump has to work harderwhen the truck is stationary than when it's moving (those who remember whencars and trucks didn't have power steering know just what I mean.

[Empty V]

I'm thinking a slipping power steering pump belt. The pump has to work harderwhen the truck is stationary than when it's moving (those who remember whencars and trucks didn't have power steering know just what I mean.

Well today it seemed like the the squealing goes away at about 7mph. So could this mean that the belt tension is off? Is this something that can be seen or accessed without removing anything?

BTW I thought your Screen Name looked familiar, I saw your profile on SB and I think we met this past summer at Whaler's Cove. I remember the boat being loaded back on the trailer and the people I was diving with saying that it's pretty much the only boat that's launched there.

Billy

[Empty V]

My guess is it's the pump just making noise, which would explain why he said what he did.

If you can live with the noise, just wait for the PS pump to go out in, say, 50K - 100K miles and get a new one and then you'll have no more noise.

Or you can replace the pump and my guess would be somewhere around the $500 range for parts and labor, likely higher.

It's been doing it for about 100K miles and doesn't seem to have gotten any better or worse, could that be a sign for something?

Billy

[Chuck Tribolet]

BTW I thought your Screen Name looked familiar, I saw your profile on SB and I think we met this past summer at Whaler's Cove. I remember the boat being loaded back on the trailer and the people I was diving with saying that it's pretty much the only boat that's launched there.

Billy

Could be. Adm. Linda and I launch there about every other weekend July-Dec.(tides are wrong the rest of the year).

And that's not my screen name, that's my NAME. ;-)

[pathfinder9035]

mine squeals too...well it use to squeal. I think its just your tires man. I got different ones now and the squeel is gone.

[Empty V]

It's not the tires for sure, I'm not quite sure how the tires would make the steering squeal. So any help with trying to tighten the belt? Some guidance would be appreciated.

BTW Chuck, if it was you that I met I was diving with Dianna and Greg if you know them. I was supposed to go out with Dock but he was experiencing some vertigo. I had my massive yellow video setup with me. I think they said that it was the flattest day of the summer.

Billy

[larryt]

It's your belts and/or pulleys, most likely. Mine has had this same symptom since I changed the belts ~3000 miles ago. I can make it go away for a few starts by tightening them. I will probably pull them off soon and make sure the pulleys are turning without undue resistance.

You can search for other posts for details on how to tighten the belts, it's really not that hard. Just remove the front skid plate and locate the belt tensioners. I think it's a 10mm socket needed to tighten them. Photos of how to locate the tensioners can be found by searching this forum.

[slickroger]

mine made this noise when my power steering was acting up but every time i loaded the fluid up it stopped.

[larryt]

I'll check the PS fluid. I had it changed not long ago, and maybe it needs topping off.
Modified by larryt at 8:55 PM 2/5/2009

[Empty V]

Awesome! Thanks Roger and Larry, that's a big help.

Billy

[Chuck Tribolet]

If you gotta add fluid, you gotta ask where its going. I've got 160K miles onmy '01 PF, and have not had to add PS fluid or any other lubricants (other than occasionally a 1/4quart of oil towards the end of the change interval).

[slickroger]

i had a leak so i would here it all the time.

that problem was fixed and i have never had to refill again.

Empty V you might wanna check the PS hoses that are beside the rad for any leaks