Trouble shooting P/S issues

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

So my steering comes and goes much like ive read about here but i cant seem to find a situation like mine. It squeals like a mother every now and then when i turn to the left almost to the point that it stalls out the engine a little. I did a fluid change not too long ago and that fixed the issue for a short time but now its back and its occurring more frequently.

How tight should the ps belt be? im havin some squeeling issues and i checked the belt and their is a slight give, it doesn't feel loose? should the belt be so tight that their is no give?

Ive been up all night reading through old threads and im thinkin if after i replace the belt if i need too. ill just go ahead and do the pump. it seems like most of the ps issues inevitably stem from the pump. any suggestions on what kind to get oem, or somethin else? is this a project i could tackle in one day?

 

[buffblazer]

for the belt what you can do is when its squealing, take a thin piece of wood and gently put pressure on the belt push until the squealing goes away, then tighten up by guesstimating how how much you pushed to how much you should tighten.

also when you tighten it take the belt and try to turn to the side with your fingers. IIRC it shouldnt go more halfway over if not a little less than that.

hope that helps

 

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

but what if it only squeals when its turning and in motion?

 

[lectric80]

You didn't say how old the belt is, that may be the issue. Normally you want ~1/2" of deflection in the belt at the largest gap between pulleys. So if your belt runs from the crank, around the water pump, then to the PS pump, the largest space should be between the water pump and PS pump. In the center of that space press down on the belt and it should only move around a 1/2". If it is higher than that it is too loose, if it is less then it is probably the belt that is worn.

 

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

im not sure how old it is, not too old the engine was rebuilt about 20k ago but not sure if they changed belts. ill check the bap tommorrow between water pump and ps pump.

 

[Mudstud]

With it running, look at the pulley and see if it is stopping under the belt. Fix is tighten the belt- yes, tighten that joker as tight as you can cuz it;s gonna stretch.

 

[dyeager535]

Does the squealing coincide with the loss of steering, or is it like mine that sometimes, apparently randomly except cold startup, the pump simply is not giving any assist?

Mine squeals when it's at the steering stop either direction, so I don't push it that far, but the on/off power assist sucks. I am going to bet it's the pump that is shot if the squealing does not always coincide with lack of assist. Of course check/test/try more belt tension, but that only helps to a point.

 

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

as im turing left sometimes the squeal starts then followed by the loss of power, regardless of a cold engine or a warmed up one. it just stops giving assit to the point where the engine begins to stall a bit

 

[dyeager535]

If it's stalling the engine you are getting assist, so the belt is working.

Can't help why it's doing that, your tires aren't contacting something are they?

 

[Mudstud]

Just before it starts to dog the engine does it tend to push the front axle (assuming you have crossover) to the side- or can you see the frame flex from the stress? You may have a mis-adjusted draglink.

 

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

no cross over (i know i should) and their shouldnt be any rubbing issues at all im sittin on worn 35s on a 6" suspension.

i did add this liquid stabilizer called lucas oil to the power steering reservoir. seems to have stopped the problem for now. but i just did a fluid change not more then 2 months ago. what could be causing my fluid to not work? or is this ps stabilizer like somethin amazing?

anyone ever experience this?

 

[Leper]

Your linkage is out of adjustment. The knuckles are hitting the stop on one side before the box is done pushing

 

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

is that a simple process to fix the linkage?

 

[Mudstud]

It'll just take some trial and error adjusting the drag link. Jack the front up and start adjusting to the point where the wheels are at lock about the time the gear box is finished turning. Good luck. As long as you don't have a 4" drop drag link you should be able to loosen the sleeve and spin it around with a pliers.