Nissan Altima GXE 2000 Power steering

[natnat]

Nissan Altima GXE 2000 I just had my ac tensioner and other pully replaced plus engine belts and 1 engine mount replaced. The pully froze up and my belts shredded. Now car is fixed, but 1 week later I noticed strange power steering noises when I make a hard left turn. Could it all be related? Or is my power steering pump just going out. When my pully froze, I didn't notice right away. The horrible screeching sound later clued me in, but I was blocks away from my mechanic so I drove it in. At one point I lost my power steering, but it came back quickly. So.... I was wondering if I did something to further hurt my car, or is this just bad timing or what?Think the belt replacement needs adjusting? Did the mechanics forget to do something? Pump needs to be replaced?I have power steering now, it just sounds horrible when making a left.

[MaximA32]

Could possibly be slipping belts. Check the tension on your belts. Make sure there isn't any slack or that they aren't too tight.

[natnat]

Had the work done at Nissan Arapahoe in Colorado, is it possible they would have missed that? Myself, I wouldn't know how to check for it. Guess I have to bring it back to Nissan. I dropped by there earlier today to talk to Gene about it, but he didn't have an answer for me. Thanks for your input. I hope that's all it is.

[aznissanaltima]

I had to replace my 1999 Altima pump recently, and here's what I learned.

A power steering pump will usually make a 'groaning' sound if it is low on fluid, belt is too tight, or if it's going bad.

If a belt is slipping, it tends to make more of a higher pitched 'screech'.

If you think the pump might be going bad, take a turkey baster and suck out some fluid into a glass jar, then hold it up to the light and examine it for tiny little silvery particles. If you find any at all, you're most likely on borrowed time and should have the pump replaced and the fluid thoroughly flushed out.

[natnat]

Thank you! Do you think it is odd that I only hear the noise when I turn hard left? Sort of a screeching noise, not terribly loud. It only started to make noises after I had the belts replaced, but nissan wants to charge me $60 just to look at it. I should get a courtisy inspection don't ya think?

[aznissanaltima]

I would sure think they should check it for free. Any mechanic would be able to tell if it's a belt screech in about 10 seconds. Plus, if they put the belt on, it would seem reasonable for them to check it for free.

IMO, If it only screeches when you turn it all the way to the left, it's most likely the belt.