Power Steering Screech

Post by **NH_RPS13Drifter** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:15 pm

I'v got a 90' 240SX, which i'v put some work into, and am able to do most anything with out the help of a garage. Recently my belts starting squeeling and making noise, so i put some new ones in, and for a while things ran fine. Then my power steering started making a screeching noise, but only when i had my wheel all the way turned to lock on either side, and only when the car was cold. After doing some research I found out that I was supposed to use ATF instead of power steering fluid, so i bled out the old fluid and put in the ATF. I was hopeful that this was the source of my problems, but the noise is still there. I cant think of anything but a bad pump. Could this be a result of using the wrong fluid?

Post by **xung** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:52 pm

Is the noise coming from the front of the engine near the pump? or from the back near the steering column? It takes more force to turn the wheels to a sharper angle, so it could be the pump system begining to fail then. When I had a screeching sound, it turned out to be the bearings on my tensioner pulley had begun to seize, so that could be your problem too.

Post by **NH_RPS13Drifter** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:52 pm

Ya, the noise comes from the engine. I was thinking about having a friend look at the pump while I turn the wheel to see what it is.

Post by **sanioll** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:58 pm

NH_RPS13Drifter wrote:Recently my belts starting squeeling and making noise, so i put some new ones in, and for a while things ran fine.

not to steal a post, but how do you change the belts?? My belts screetch when its cold and heater is on at low rpm.

this is one of the things that i have 0% knowledge about. FSM doesn't say a **** about it.

Post by **xung** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:34 pm

The power steering belt and AC belt each wrap around 3 pulleys. One pulley on the crank, one on the device, and the third pulley is a tensioner pulley. The tensioner slides up and down. For the alternator/waterpump belt, the alternator pivots up and down allowing the belt to tighten or loosen.

Post by **Dori** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:44 pm

i don't think you have much of a problem there, all cars generally do that when you have the steering wheel turned all the way and lock it there. Yer just stressin your pump.

Post by **Projex240** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:13 pm

dumb thing to put in maybe but---with the weather getting colder, the belts and loosen themselves. Make sure they are tight.I forgot to check mine and went crazy for 5 days living with it.

-Josh

Post by **NH_RPS13Drifter** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:48 pm

Alright, thanks guys i'll try tightening up the belts.