Screeching Power Steering

[redmaestro]

Hi All,

More winter woes from E349!! I started her up the other day and as I steered to pull away, the steering screeched and felt heavy. A few seconds later, the noise stopped and steering seemed fine.

I spent today under the bonnet. I tightened up the belt (although it didn't seem loose), and I noticed the drive belt also goes over that pulley too. I tried to tighten up the drive belt, but i dont think its tight enough.

Am I right in thinking that its the drive belt causing the screeching noise? If so, any tips on how to get the alternator nice and tight?

Thanks

Redm

[tony]

i use a lever behind the alternator,one person holds the lever one tightens up the bolts.

but,

is it possible that the water pump was frozen,that stopped the belt from running.even for only the 1st few seconds?
then freed off?

[redmaestro]

Thanks for the reply, unlikely to be a frozen water pump because i worked on the car this afternoon. It was quite warm out and all traces of the frost had melted hours earlier.

[G Force]

Hi; The altenator drive belt slipping is the most common cause of the screeching when the power steering is turned on the 2litre.

Gary:)

[tony]

i saw a astra died this morning when going to my van this morning, thats why i thought about a frozen pump.

[Peter J]

You can get an aerosol can of stuff to spray on rubber V belts, which is supposed to increase the adhesion and stop them slipping. I would have thought that if the belt was clean and correctly tensioned you wouldn't need it though?

[Russ]

Replace the PAS and the alternator belt, as G force says this is most common fault for belt noise.

Russ

[SimonR]

You can get an aerosol can of stuff to spray on rubber V belts, which is supposed to increase the adhesion and stop them slipping.

An old trick my Grandfather used to use on threshing machines which works on V-Belts (don't laugh) is to smear a bit of honey on them. The honey gets hot and coats the belt which stops it from slipping.

I know it works on a Maestro because I've tried it! Golden Syrup also works.

[Simon]

Your belt will be old and stretched, so renew it and tighten it up, it does need to be tighter than you might think. Mine used to make odd noises when on full lock until I did the above and now it is smooth and silent. Replace belt at 24,000 mile intervals.