Power steering squeal when cold

[05EclipseGs]

Read forums, how tos and youtube videos and nothing. Replaced my bad pump with another 2gs from a junk yard. Everything went good however when its cold it squeals. I added fluid, removed fluid, and removed air bubbles and still nothing. I start it when its cold and it squeals real loud and the more I drive the quieter it gets. Any ideas?

 

[ChiTownHussla]

Get new oem belt. Endthread

 

[idkiliketurbos]

I wouldn't be surprised if it is the belt for the power steering pump or even the alternator belt. Most of the time they squeal upon startup from not being tightened correctly (usually too loose).

 

[007jimmy]

Get new oem belt. Endthread

Not very helpful. Even a OEM belt will squeal if not tensioned properly...

OP how are you sure that its just the power steering belt and not the alternator or the AC belt (if you still have AC)?? The belts need to have a 1/4" deflection at most. This along with clean non oily/cracked belts and clean pulleys will quiet the squeal. Take a wire brush and some brake clean and go to town on the pulleys. I have ran several cheap parts store belts, OEM and currently run blue gates accessory belts and all have squealed at one point. Clean belts and proper tension is the key here.

While you are down there, check your crank pulley for seperation in the rubber center section. A bad crank pulley can cause squealing too.

 

[Deadpool25]

I agree check the belts and make sure they are tight

 

[05EclipseGs]

Just sprayed belts with belt dressing so we'll see how that works, also the belts are tight. Thanks so far for the help and feedback.

 

[rough]

I noticed if i'm stopped and turn the wheel all the way one way till it stops, then move it just a hair more the belt or pump will start to squeal, at least for me.

 

[gusu]

Just sprayed belts with belt dressing so we'll see how that works, also the belts are tight. Thanks so far for the help and feedback.

Belt dressing is a temporary solution. It even lubricates the belt allowing it to slip with out a loud ass screech or it gives the belt more grip to not slip. However it will wear off and it will come back.

The other down side to belt dressing is they cause modern belts to delaminate and fail prematurely.

It honestly sounds like you need to tighten the belt more. I'd tell you how to set the tension but the 1g and 2g power steering pumps are different. It's also been a couple years since I had to put the PS belt back on, I honestly don't remember how I did the tension

 

[1990AWD]

Just sprayed belts with belt dressing so we'll see how that works, also the belts are tight. Thanks so far for the help and feedback.

Well now you may as well go buy new belts as the belt dressing garbage just eats away at them.

The reason a belt squeals is because it is loose, end of story. Even if it feels tight, go tighten it some more.

 

[05EclipseGs]

I'm going to go and tighten it up a bit but since it hasn't been squealing since the dressing I'm not going to be able to tell if it was the problem or not. Thanks for the advice and I'll keep everyone posted.