If you’re driving a car, odds are you’ve experienced the pain and frustration of a power steering belt failure. It can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with because it means your car is uncontrollable and you may have to drive back home. Here are some tips on how to fix a power steering belt failure.
Identification of the Issue
If you are having trouble with your power steering belt, there are a few things you can do to diagnose the issue. First, make sure the engine is cold and that the belts are properly tensioned. Second, check for leaks by turning the wheel all the way to the left and then all the way to the right. If you see any fluid leaking from the power steering pump or hoses, it means that there is a problem with those components and you will need to replace them.
Repairing the Power Steering Belt
If your power steering belt is broken, you’ll need to replace it. Replacing the power steering belt is a relatively easy job, but it’s important to do it correctly so that your car won’t suffer any further damage.
Here are the steps you need to take to repair the power steering belt:
1. Disable the ignition and remove the battery cables. You don’t want anything electrocuting yourself while you’re working on the car!
2. Remove the front grille and hood release mechanism. This will allow you to get at the power steering pump and belt.
3. Remove the power steering pump by taking off two screws on either side of it. Be careful not to lose any of the connectors or hoses that come with the pump!
4. Disconnect the power steering belt from the pulley by unscrewing it from its mounting bracket. Be sure to note which way it goes back together; you’ll need this information later on when you reattach the belt!
5. Replace the power steering belt by following its mounting bracket instructions, being careful not to lose any of the original screws or connectors. Reinstall everything in reverse order, making sure that the belt goes around both pul
Checking the Operation of the Belt after Repair
If you’re like most drivers, you might not think much about your power steering belt. But if your belt fails, it can cause serious problems. Here’s how to check the operation of your belt after repair:
1. Drive the vehicle until the engine is warm and the belt seems to be making normal noise.
2. Park the vehicle so that the wheels are facing a straight surface and disengage the parking brake.
3. If the engine is running, turn off the ignition and wait 10 seconds.
4. With the engine still off, use a helper to position a jack under each axle, as shown in Figure 1.
5. Turn on the ignition and wait until the engine has come up to operating temperature (about 50 degrees).
6. Hold down one of the front bumper screws (Figure 2) with a wrench while using a second wrench to loosen one of the belt tensioners (Figure 3).
7. While holding down one of the front bumper screws, carefully remove both belt tensioners (Figure 4).
8. Reach between the pulleys (Figure 5) and slowly lift one end of the belt off of its sprocket (
Replacement of the Power Steering Belt
If you’re experiencing pneumatic popping or chatter when turning the wheel, it’s time to replace your power steering belt. Replacing the belt is a relatively easy and affordable fix that should be done every 60,000 miles or every three years, whichever comes first. Here are four steps to replacing the belt:
1. Remove the clips that hold the power steering rack in place.
2. Remove the old belt by slowly pulling it off of the pulleys.
3. Install the new belt by placing it around the pulleys and pulling it tight.
4. Replace the clips and re-install the power steering rack.