Power steering squeal

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-26-2010, 01:12 AM

I think its time to change my power steering fluid. It is starting to squeal really bad when going down the road, the only time it doesnt make any noise is when you are in the process of turning. I have a problem with this though, Ive never done it before and dont know where the drain screw would be. Other question is what do you going recommend on putting in this?

**pajeff02** · 09-26-2010, 03:59 AM

Are you sure it is not belt slip?

There is no drain plug on the system. Easiest way is to use a turkey baster or suction gun to evacuate the reservoir. Re-fill it, run the car a bit turning the wheels side to side, shut it down and repeat until your fluid looks clean.

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-26-2010, 09:37 AM

Im not sure if its belt slip or not, it sounds like the power steering though. How would i know if it was belt slip?

**pajeff02** · 09-26-2010, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lunatikgixxer

Im not sure if its belt slip or not, it sounds like the power steering though. How would i know if it was belt slip?

Easiest thing to do is spray the belt with a little belt dressing and see if the noise goes away.

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-26-2010, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Easiest thing to do is spray the belt with a little belt dressing and see if the noise goes away.

definately not a squeak from the belt, more like a loud annoying noise.. It turned out to be the bad power steering fluid.

**Cutlass** · 09-27-2010, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Lunatikgixxer

definately not a squeak from the belt, more like a loud annoying noise.. It turned out to be the bad power steering fluid.

Coolant in the PS fluid??

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-27-2010, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

Coolant in the PS fluid??

no not coolant, i didnt see any when i drained it, just really old and dirty. The cup i drained it into had black dirt and gunk all on the bottom of it. It was pretty old and dirty lol

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-28-2010, 07:03 AM

ok well last night on my way home the squealing noise came back, its not a belt, its the power steering. Is it going bad?

**Sas** · 09-28-2010, 09:05 PM

Are you sure it's not the water pump?

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-29-2010, 07:22 AM

im pretty sure. Its fine when the car is cool but after it warms up it starts being loud... Its pretty hard to tell if its the water pump, how could i tell if it was that? It sounds just like the power steering, and if im sitting dead still at a light and i hold the wheel turned it will stop making the noise. Its weird.. I cant figure this one out

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-29-2010, 09:00 AM

Ok i did some investigating and i think i narrowed it down.. It sounds like its coming from the pulley right in front of where you put the steering fluid in.. Isnt that the water pump? Well i think youre right.

**Cutlass** · 09-29-2010, 05:30 PM

The big pulley below the power steering reservoir is the power steering pump pulley. The water pump pulley is below the throttle body.

**Lunatikgixxer** · 09-29-2010, 06:02 PM

In the red box is where the noise is coming from almost 100% positive

**Cutlass** · 09-30-2010, 06:21 PM

That is absolutely the power steering pump. Might be time for a new pump

**Lunatikgixxer** · 10-01-2010, 07:47 AM

ok got cha.. If i went up to autozone how much do they run there?

**Pony_Eater** · 10-02-2010, 09:23 PM

It def sounds like it's your power steering pump. Same thing was wrong with mine. When you replace it make sure you don't spill fluid on your alternator. Then you have to replace that to. I'm speaking from experience it's not that fun of a journey. Lol