1G Need help. Power steering Belt Question

[daniel91talon]

So I got my car about a month ago and drives fine no lights nothing on. But makes a sound like my power steering Pully thing( thing with the belt on it) raddles constantly. But never did nothing but sqeak on cold starts But would stop when warmed. .(but always raddle)

But I was driving today and noticed the rattle got louder and went to pull over and my steering completely locked (didn't lose power steering felt like it couldn't steer). I had a del sole with no ps but this didn't feel like that. I had to cut the car off before I could turn it. But when steering locked I pushed the clutch in looked at the guages no over heating or nothing but was ideling around 500rpms.

So I push the car into a parking spot and let it cool off. Then after about 30mins opened my hood started it and looked at the belts to see if anything seemed ify and my power steering was locked!!!! Not turning. The belt going from powersteering to something else(some big Pully with the belt going from the alternator and crank and whatever) wasn't spinning but when did spin was just skidding over the power steering pulley making it start smoking and seeking really loud.


Also I'm pretty sure it's from the power steering but my other belt (alternator... Coming from the same pulley my power steering is connected to) was slowly spinning which would explain the low rpms. Someone please help it is my only car right now.

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

It sounds like your power steering pump is seized up. The sound may have been low fluid level, or a bearing on its way out. You likely need to replace it with a new/re-manufactured unit. I would also recommend a new accessory belt as well.

 

[daniel91talon]

It was full of fluid actually a lil over maxed. But I guess my question was is there anyway it could be the big pulley? The one connected to the ps?

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

If the PS pulley is not rotating, then the pump is seized. The bearings are likely no longer commercially acceptable.

 

[daniel91talon]

Okay thank you. One more question. My ac doesn't have a belt on it. Is that a problem?

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

Can you rotate the power steering pump by hand?

Can you rotate the alternator by hand?

Can you rotate the water pump by hand?


To answer the A/C question. The lack of A/C belt is only an issue if you want to use your A/C. There are no ill effects of driving without the belt otherwise.

 

[daniel91talon]

The belt is still on but if the water pump is the big one connected to the alternator it does spin when cars running. The power steering does not spin when the car is running. And the alternator does spin.

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

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[daniel91talon]

Oh yes. The alternator water pump crank and ac all spin.

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

Here is a rough walk through of the job:

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/pspump.htm


Pick up a Chilton, Haynes, or even better, an electronic FSM for more detail.

 

[daniel91talon]

Okay. Thank you buddy

 

[wolf alchemy]

Been looking for that diagram for awhile. Lol thanks for the belt diagram.

 

[daniel91talon]

My dad's theory. I think it's just the power steering holding the water pump but I could be wrong. He's saying it's both but I doubt both went wrong within 1 sec of each other. Any opinions?

 

[gusu]

Like stated before, take the belts off and try spinning the pulleys by hand.

If the other accessories are spinning the water pump pulley can't be bad.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

It has to be your PS Pump. Get THAT belt off and physically check it, does it rotate, does it seem like the bearing for the pulley is very wobbly or locked up like you say? You should still be able to drive it without PS.

 

[daniel91talon]

Is there a video showing how to remove the belt? I saw the http://www.plymouthlaser.com/pspump.htm
But just want a better idea

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I will try to help you. There are two "holes" in the PS pump pulley, they are there for you to get to the two bolts that hold the PS pump to its bracket. You will need to bump your motor over until those "holes" line up with the upper and lower bolts on the PS pump (about 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock respectively) or rotate the engine by hand to line them up. Use a ratchet and short extension and 14mm socket (I think) to loosen or remove them AND THEN, there is one more bolt on the back side of the pump for a total of three. The back one is at the bottom of the pump and should be the same size as the other two so check it first for size then you should have the correct socket for all three. Then just take the belt off. I just did this and I think the alternator belt is in front of the PS belt (if I recall correctly, but would be nice if I were wrong and it was in front of the alternator belt) so to get it off, you will have to loosen the alternator belt and remove it too, but for a test you can unrail that PS belt to check the status of the PS pump/pulley. Also, you don't have to remove the PS pump bolts but they need to be loose so you can tilt the pump in towards the water pump in order to get slack to remove the PS belt. Did that make sense? Trying to help.

 

[daniel91talon]

Thanks. But it ended up being both. The water pump and power steering some how. And Mr. Tire is charging me around $900 to change just the water pump.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Better do a timing belt job while it's all apart anyway! Shoot for $900 they should be doing it .

 

[daniel91talon]

I know. I would have never thought it would cost that much. But oh wells I guess. It needs to be fixed and I just don't have the tools right now

 

[Dsmkauai]

Only takes a few metric wrenches and sockets and alittle know how bro. The one good thing about dsm's . All the info you could need on this site and vfaq

 

[pauleyman]

Better do a timing belt job while it's all apart anyway! Shoot for $900 they should be doing it .

They are doing a timing belt. You can't get the water pump off without removing it.
OP find out if they are replacing that belt for 900. If so make sure they change balance shaft belt also. Even with all that 900 is robbery. 600 or 700 is about right.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Really wiseman how do you know they won't just throw the old one back on! You really think I don't know how to do a water pump/ timing job? Only been a tech for 18-19 years now and have owned and worked on my 95 gst since 99 but what do I know. Just cuz you think your so wise doesn't mean others aren't as well! The o.p. Says "mr. Tire is charging me $900 to change just the water pump"

 

[daniel91talon]

Okay so water pump, camshaft(i dont know which one) timing belts, tie rod ends, valve cover gasket, and left axle. $2300. Oh and adjuestment of my ebrake because it doesn't hold.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

What??? Camshaft??? What happened??? Sounds suspicious to me. Wow