Power steering squeal

[sentra]

A little background information: I have been replacing the drive belts of my 1994 Nissan Quest for the past few days and have been running into one issue after another. I had removed the passenger side wheel to gain access to the belts.

When the van is parked, and I turn the steering more than 5-10 degrees either way, it squeals pretty loud. The steering becomes fairly stiff, too. While driving, it still squeals, but the steering has to be turned around 30-40 degrees either way before the noise is sensed.

Trying to trace the noise all day long, I know the following:

(1) When the van is jacked up off the ground, regardless of whether the wheel still is on or not, there is no noise. The steering turns smoothly, too.

(2) When the van is on the ground, and one turns the steering, the squealing noise is accompanied with a temporary stoppage in the power steering pulley.

Since there is no squeal when the van is jacked up, it leads me to believe something goes wrong when the wheel touches the ground. I can’t seem to figure out what it is, though. Any ideas?

 

[sentra]

Between, the power steering fluid level is good.

 

[sciphi]

Sounds like a bum belt. Or improper belt tension if you have manual tensioners. I had PS issues on an old Hyundai with manual belt tensioners. It took a fair amount of sweating to get those belts tight enough.

 

[sentra]

sciphi, if the power steering belt was loose, wouldn't it squeal even if the wheel was off the ground, or does the load on the power steering increase with the wheels on the ground?

I have knowingly kept the accessory belt slighly on the looser side, because the crank snout on the 93-95 Quests are known to break.


Addition: i had removing the power steering reservoir and a hose to detect a leak.

 

[ComfyShorts]

Originally Posted By: sentra
sciphi, if the power steering belt was loose, wouldn't it squeal even if the wheel was off the ground, or does the load on the power steering increase with the wheels on the ground?


...really? Stick to changing oil.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: sentra
sciphi, if the power steering belt was loose, wouldn't it squeal even if the wheel was off the ground, or does the load on the power steering increase with the wheels on the ground?

I have knowingly kept the accessory belt slighly on the looser side, because the crank snout on the 93-95 Quests are known to break.

Addition: i had removing the power steering reservoir and a hose to detect a leak.


No, it wouldn't. The load increases a LOT more with the wheels on terra firma. A belt that could be just fine for a very light load could be tensioned incorrectly for a regular load. Then it'll squeal like a stuck pig when it slips.

If the PS pulley stops, it's either the belt or the tension being too loose.

 

[moving2]

Originally Posted By: ComfyShorts
Originally Posted By: sentra
sciphi, if the power steering belt was loose, wouldn't it squeal even if the wheel was off the ground, or does the load on the power steering increase with the wheels on the ground?


...really? Stick to changing oil.


ComfyShorts- really? Stick to answering posts which are actually addressed to you (note the OP asked sciphi) and, if you're going to bother to post at all, then try being helpful instead of a sarcastic *******. Have a nice day.

 

[sentra]

sciphi, thanks for the reply. You are correct. I had just gotten in after tightening the belt, and the squealing went away. I thought i would update the thread first. The steering turns smoothly, too. I still feel that i may have over-tightened it a little.

It's getting late, so i will called it day. I will take care of the rest tomorrow.

 

[sentra]

Originally Posted By: moving2
Originally Posted By: ComfyShorts
Originally Posted By: sentra
sciphi, if the power steering belt was loose, wouldn't it squeal even if the wheel was off the ground, or does the load on the power steering increase with the wheels on the ground?


...really? Stick to changing oil.


ComfyShorts- really? Stick to answering posts which are actually addressed to you (note the OP asked sciphi) and, if you're going to bother to post at all, then try being helpful instead of a sarcastic *******. Have a nice day.


moving2, i think it's best to ignore individuals like him. They probably just want attention.

 

[The_Eric]

sentra, don't worry about the belts being to tight right now. If they're new, they will loosen up after a few miles. Re-check them then.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: sentra
sciphi, thanks for the reply. You are correct. I had just gotten in after tightening the belt, and the squealing went away. I thought i would update the thread first. The steering turns smoothly, too. I still feel that i may have over-tightened it a little.

It's getting late, so i will called it day. I will take care of the rest tomorrow.


Glad to hear it worked out for you!

If you think it's over-tightened, then loosen it a touch and see if your symptoms return. Then tighten to the point that your squeal disappears, and no tighter. It could be tightened appropriately at present, however.

 

[sentra]

I tightened the belt a little and the steering is fine now. The van is back on the road! Apparently, the deflection range in which the belt would squeal and be fine is pretty small.

Thank you for the assistance.

 

[Drew99GT]

What kind of belts did you use? I to have had problems with my Corolla power steering belt squealing. I ended up having to clean the pullies with brake cleaner and had to use Dayco W-rib belts which help conform to older misaligned pullies. That is with the proper tension. I wouldn't recommend tightening the holy heck out of the belt or you risk burning up bearings in the power steering pump and whatever drives the belt.

Another thing to consider is, once a belt slips, even just a little for a short time, it'll glaze up and not have as much traction as a good belt, so you end up having to overtighten the belt to get enough traction on the pullies.

 

[sentra]

Drew99GT, i used Good year gatorback belts. I didn't overtighten it. The deflection is still within the range noted in the facroty service maunal.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: sentra
Drew99GT, i used Good year gatorback belts. I didn't overtighten it. The deflection is still within the range noted in the facroty service maunal.


Good deal. Just wanted to make sure you didn't over tighten.

 

[berniedd]

Just curious if anybody's tried it before, if a belt becomes glazed, can it be restored by lightly sanding the contact surface with some sandpaper?

 

[cjcride]

Heard a light buff with a brass brush.

Seeing its off, just replace it.