Squealing serpentine belt - PS pump?

gbuchana · Post by **gbuchana** » 04 Oct 2008, 10:07

1998 S70 T5

I'm hearing my, I assume, serpentine belt squealing a bit on startup and my, I assume, power steering pump, is making noises during rapid turning.

Do the power steering pumps go bad such that they become too difficult to turn and lose the grip on the serpentine belt?

It looks like the PS pumps run around $150 rebuilt, that seem right?
What's it take to install one? Is that a typical DIY job? How many hours in a shop?

Thanks.

anbran · Post by **anbran** » 04 Oct 2008, 12:52

...Could be your serpentine tensioner getting a little weak. When you turn your steering wheel, the power steering pump works harder, so a loose belt will slide on the pulley causing the squeel. Same with a cold start up. The belt will swell as it gets warmer, and will "snug" itself up...and stop squeeling.

Check the tension of your serpentine belt.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Oct 2008, 14:49

I agree with Anbran, although the bearings in the PSP can go bad. I would try the tensioner first...if it is bad, you will easily be able to pull it up and you'll see it sort of jumping as the belt turns.

gbuchana · Post by **gbuchana** » 07 Oct 2008, 20:56

I am not a great judge of the exact tightness of my serpentine, but it seems far from loose. There is not more that 10mm play in the longest run I can easily reach. I don't have gauge, so there's no telling for sure.

Even when there is no squeal on startup -- the squeal happens on maybe one in 20 starts -- there is a noticeable hum and vibration during sharp turns, for example in the parking garage I can feel the vibration during slow sharp turns. This is what makes me think there is an issue with the PSP.

The PS fluid level might not be totally full, but it is not substantially low. I have had low PS fluid before and it has a different sound when the PSP starts to ingest air. This is not what I'm getting now.

Will arrange to have the local independent have a look, but my worry is that if I have to spring for a new/rebuilt PSP, I'm not sure what kind of price range I am I up against.

Post by **billofdurham** » 08 Oct 2008, 12:21

FCP Groton (link at top of forum) have rebuilt pumps for $84.79 and new for $274.31.

Have the tensioner checked first, as suggested. It is the cheapest option if it is the problem.

Bill.