loud scretching noise when turning wheel

[SVXGIRL182]

when i first start up my car and its colder than 50 degrees, it scretches loudly. After i'm driving for about 5 minutes it goes away a little but not completly. We checked my power steering fluid and its full. Just wondering if anyone knows what the problem is or if it has happened to anyone else

[RSVX]

sounds like and old PS belt... but then again, I am an idiot

[mattski]

It could be the belt or the Power Steering Reservoir O ring. You should be able to open the hood, listen and locate the source of the noise.

Both problems are very easy to repair, the latter just a few cents for the O ring, the former a few $ for a belt, or just a tightening which is free.

Matt

[SVXGIRL182]

cool thanx we will check that out. How come it only happens when its below 50?

[CigarJohnny]

Mine is doing the same thing, I'm just too lazy to break out the tools

Anyway the reason it does it below 50 degrees is that above that temp the belt is more plyable and does not resist turning with the pulleys. When the temp drops below that range it stiffens up and resists bending with the pulleys. Since the belt has stretched over time, it no longer has the proper tension on it to force it to move with the pulleys regardless of how stiff it is. After about 5 minutes of slipping, the friction of the pulleys has warmed it up enough so that it turns freely, thus stopping to squeel under protest.

If the belts look to still be in good shape, just try tightening them with the adjusters. Even a new belt, if not properly tensioned when installed, will squeel when the temp drops below a certain point. If the belts look aged, cracked or fraying take advantage of the opportunity to replace them with new ones. Hope this helps you

Originally posted by CigarJohnny
Mine is doing the same thing, I'm just too lazy to break out the tools

Wow... same with me!! I hope noone heard it at the iclub meet on friday... it was making quite some racket.

Mike

Same here but in a weeks time ill have my belts changed out and tension will be back to normal, and i have the o-ring on its way from Suby.

You ordered a 'special' ORing????

nah just all the local auto shops are useless so i went to the suby dealership and had one ordered for a big $1.53. It will be here thursday and it will possibly go in next week end.

[svx_commuter]

Originally posted by SVXGIRL182
cool thanx we will check that out. How come it only happens when its below 50?

It may also be a good idea to change your PS fluid if it hasn't been done in awhile.

[mattski]

I also added some Lube Guard Power Steering conditioner since their Auto Trasmission treatment seems to be a good product.

Matt

[CigarJohnny]

Does anyone know the exact size of the O-ring? I'd like to replace mine but would rather not remove the old one first then spend days trying to find a replacement while my car sits unusable.

Originally posted by CigarJohnny
Does anyone know the exact size of the O-ring? I'd like to replace mine but would rather not remove the old one first then spend days trying to find a replacement while my car sits unusable.

I was told it was 15mm OD, 11mm ID, 2mm thickness. The one we used was slightly thicker but seems to work just fine.

CJ

[sfsvx]

Originally posted by CigarJohnny
Does anyone know the exact size of the O-ring? I'd like to replace mine but would rather not remove the old one first then spend days trying to find a replacement while my car sits unusable.

Outside diameter, 15 mm.
Inside Diameter, 11 mm.
Thickness, 2 mm.


Courtesy of Trevor.

[oab_au]

The alt, ps, belt is a little loose. The load on the belt is high when the engine starts, as the alt charge rate is high to refill the battery.

This is made worse as the power steering oil, when cold, has a higher viscosity, so is harder to turn till it warms up and thins out.

Check the belt tension.

Harvey.