Power steering pulley locking up..any thoughts?

[windancer]

Ok. I just replaced the power steering pump back in December. It locked up and broke the belt. Now today, while doing a u-turn in the middle of a busy intersection, the belt broke again. And of course its not like other cars, you can barely steer it once this happens(if your a girl). This time antifreeze leaking. No warnings that it was overheating, no run over from radiator or reservoir. I know the belt goes to the water pump pulley and crankshaft, but why wouldnt it give any signs? Would it be a hose maybe? Anyways the main question is, why does the pump keep locking up?

[Q45tech]

Never seen or heard of a PS pump failing [leaking yes] on a GA Q, however the idler pulley to tension belts have a internal bearing which frequently fail every ~~100k or 7 years.

Almost the only engine compartment component still remaining after 18 years and 318k is my power steering pump and rack.

I guess if PS fluid was never changed something might happen but usually the hoses leak and new fluid gets added periodically.

Was replacement oem Nissan?

[Haitian_King]

Ok. I just replaced the power steering pump back in December. It locked up and broke the belt. Now today, while doing a u-turn in the middle of a busy intersection, the belt broke again. And of course its not like other cars, you can barely steer it once this happens(if your a girl). This time antifreeze leaking. No warnings that it was overheating, no run over from radiator or reservoir. I know the belt goes to the water pump pulley and crankshaft, but why wouldnt it give any signs? Would it be a hose maybe? Anyways the main question is, why does the pump keep locking up?

I did a search as well as a look through of the 94 FSM. The only thing that I could come up with was the "Heavy Steering Operation During Stationary Turns" effect of the steering failsafe.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/st.pdfPage 30

[goody90q45]

As Tech hinted, check the power steering belt idler pulley. It should rotate freely (no binding) and quietly (no grinding) turning it by hand. The idler pulley is the one that gets adjusted to put tension on the belt. It will be easy to check without the belt installed. You can also check the PS pump if the belt is off. It should also rotate freely with minimal resistance and no grinding. Ditto for the water pump if it's on the same belt.

[elwesso]

i agree on the idler pulley...

its hard to say exactly what is happening without some more details. did you hear any screaching noises or anything like that?

[windancer]

No thats just it! No noise or nothing, just like the last time. I looked at the belt. Its in great shape other than where it broke. It was pouring when this all happened, so I didnt get to check anything. I just checked the PS pulley, its turning great. Thank God! The idler and water pump pulley are all working great. I was starting to think that maybe when I had the PS pump put in the last time, they didnt line the belt up right, but because the belt isnt worn, Im stumped! I dont even know if the replacement was Nissan or not. My mechanics shop burnt down the night before this happened, so a friend took my car to their guy. I was out of town. Maybe it is the internal bearing, but its turning great now. Could it just lock up long enough to break the belt, then start working again? This is the first Infiniti Ive ever had. It was given to me. Although the owner knew nothing about cars(didnt even know how to change oil) and took it to people that knew nothing about cars, especially an Infiniti. So Im getting to deal with it all now. Much like when I had my BMW. No one knew how to work on them in my small town, so I had to do everything myself, even If I had to do it for the first time reading the manual. Im in Savannah now, so hopefully I shouldnt have to resort to that. Thanks though so far for the input. Maybe I will get to the bottom of this, soon! Ive got to replace te break pads, fuel filter, and apparently struts now too. Lol, when it rains, it pours.

[Haitian_King]

No thats just it! No noise or nothing, just like the last time. I looked at the belt. Its in great shape other than where it broke. It was pouring when this all happened, so I didnt get to check anything. I just checked the PS pulley, its turning great. Thank God! The idler and water pump pulley are all working great. I was starting to think that maybe when I had the PS pump put in the last time, they didnt line the belt up right, but because the belt isnt worn, Im stumped! I dont even know if the replacement was Nissan or not. My mechanics shop burnt down the night before this happened, so a friend took my car to their guy. I was out of town. Maybe it is the internal bearing, but its turning great now. Could it just lock up long enough to break the belt, then start working again? This is the first Infiniti Ive ever had. It was given to me. Although the owner knew nothing about cars(didnt even know how to change oil) and took it to people that knew nothing about cars, especially an Infiniti. So Im getting to deal with it all now. Much like when I had my BMW. No one knew how to work on them in my small town, so I had to do everything myself, even If I had to do it for the first time reading the manual. Im in Savannah now, so hopefully I shouldnt have to resort to that. Thanks though so far for the input. Maybe I will get to the bottom of this, soon! Ive got to replace te break pads, fuel filter, and apparently struts now too. Lol, when it rains, it pours.

Luckily for you, you're in Georgia and you have 3 T3 locations at your disposal. I'm not too well versed in the geography of the Peach State, so I don't know which location would be closest to you. From what I've read on the board, T3 is top notch and they specialize in older Infinitis.

Good luck! Remember, if you end up towing the car to a T3 location, please have the car placed on a flatbed. The transmissions internal pump only works with the engine on. Placing the car in Neutral will let the wheels move, but the transmission gears will be spinning sans lubricating fluid. Depending on the condition of the transmission, 50 miles is the maximum distance it can be towed with the rear wheels on the ground before serious damage.

[konatown]

Luckily for you, you're in Georgia and you have 3 T3 locations at your disposal. I'm not too well versed in the geography of the Peach State, so I don't know which location would be closest to you. From what I've read on the board, T3 is top notch and they specialize in older Infinitis.

Good luck! Remember, if you end up towing the car to a T3 location, please have the car placed on a flatbed. The transmissions internal pump only works with the engine on. Placing the car in Neutral will let the wheels move, but the transmission gears will be spinning sans lubricating fluid. Depending on the condition of the transmission, 50 miles is the maximum distance it can be towed with the rear wheels on the ground before serious damage.

Oy! Q45Tech has a son and his name is Haitian!

I'm stumped by what you listed but it could've been a bad or wrong belt, poor installation, etc. I will second the motion to take the car to T3.

[windancer]

Thanks for the info! I didnt know that. Although, I always tow my vehicles on a flatbed. Just dont feel comfortable any other way. As for T3, Ill check it out. I know of three in Atlanta, two of which are off 85. Guess next time Im headed up, Ill have to make an appointment to take it in. They will probably just look at me as to how the car is still running, lol. I guess free isnt always free.

[windancer]

The more I think about it, the more I also think it was the belt. That maybe it had a weak spot in it. It was a clean break. Guess I will see.

[Haitian_King]

Oy! Q45Tech has a son and his name is Haitian!

I'm stumped by what you listed but it could've been a bad or wrong belt, poor installation, etc. I will second the motion to take the car to T3.

Aw. Why would you try to hurt me like that?

Tech and I could never be related. I understand the concept of run-on sentences and punctuation.

*Slaps knee*

[Q45tech]

Unfortunately we are all related if you go back far enough.

[Haitian_King]

Unfortunately we are all related if you go back far enough.

Quite true.

[oldmako]

Hail if'n you're from West Virginia you don't have to go back far at all!

(deer-neer-neer-neer-neer-neer-NEER-neer-neer.......) Name that movie.

[konatown]

It was a romance wasn't it? Oooh this is tough!