Lexus ES330 (V6 Camry) power steering squeal on startup

Joined
Apr 30, 2004
Messages
2,026
Location
Indiana
This is a 2004 Lexus ES 330 (essentially a V6 Camry with nicer interior).
Has power steering squeal on cold startup.
I replaced the belt with a new Bando (US made) and tensioned it quite tight but the problem still persists.
Is there any point in changing the fluid or should I change the pump too, it's only 70 bucks. Also a different mfg belt?
Any other suggestions welcome. It's a relative's car so I'm trying to fix it without too many more iterations.
 
The aftermarket Bando belts (with the slick rubber backing) has never worked well for me on manually-tensioned belt systems.
I always buy dealer belts (with the fuzzy cloth backing) or the aftermarket Mitsuboshi ones (which have the same fuzzy cloth backing).
 
Last edited:
How do those tension, is there a jack screw or is it a pry 'n pray situation?

Those pumps aren't fun to change. Maintain the fluid.

Belts do vary in quality. I liked the Goodyear Gatorbacks, which they don't make anymore-- they got absorbed into Continental Elites.
 
Not sure how the belt setup is on that, but on our 08 Accent, the PS is alone on a belt driven off the WP/Alt pulley. Tightening the Alt belt usually solves the PS squeak when it happens here.
 
Goodyear makes “gator belts” which claim to be quieter. If you’re concerned about fluid age then I’d also go ahead and change it (should be dex ATF if I’m not mistaken)
 
How do those tension, is there a jack screw or is it a pry 'n pray situation?

Those pumps aren't fun to change. Maintain the fluid.

Belts do vary in quality. I liked the Goodyear Gatorbacks, which they don't make anymore-- they got absorbed into Continental Elites.
P/S pump is pry and pray. Alternator and A/C compressor belt has a jack screw.
 
Thanks folks.
Next go round will be factory belt and fluid change.
Loosen the 12mm holding the pump with a super long 3/8" ratchet.
Loosen the adjuster bolt and pry on it using a metal clip removal tool. Run down the adjuster bolt with your 3rd hand, then tighten everything else up.
 
We changed the fluid (the 20 yr old stuff was dark but it didn't seem thickened).
But didn't fix the startup squeal.
My grandson had it in for a front end alignment and tires and the shop re-tensioned the belt and it's OK now and there have been some 10F morning startups so somewhat cold.
When I tensioned the Bando belt I had my grandson prying with a three foot long 2 X 4 on the pump, he's a big strong kid and I was afraid we were applying too much force. But maybe it wasn't enough.
I'd look into belt tension gages but this is the only thing in our fleet that doesn't have a spring tensioner on the polyvee belt.

(I now have a factory Toyota belt labeled made by Mitsubishi as a backup and they do look quite a bit different as to the running surface)
 
When I tensioned the Bando belt I had my grandson prying with a three foot long 2 X 4 on the pump, he's a big strong kid and I was afraid we were applying too much force. But maybe it wasn't enough.
No need to pry on the pump itself. Just pry down on the tensioner bracket bolts using a trim tool.
 
Back
Top