Squeal during sharp turn? (1 Viewer)

[kgrove]

I'm looking for help diagnosing the most likely problem and / or how to isolate which problem is the most likely.

I know I've got at least a small leak around the power steering unit - not huge, but some seepage that I'll only better understand over time now that I've cleaned up the existing sludge. In addition, I just had the serpentine belts replaced as the previous belts were dry and cracking.

Now... only occasionally, and it seems only when I do sharp turns, like 3-point turns in a parking lot (though even then only 1 out of 10 attempts), I get a squeal or squeaking noise from somewhere in the engine bay. Because it is so intermittent, I have not been able to reproduce it on command or with the hood open and an assistant present so I can better isolate where the sound is coming from. The pitch and tone of the sound is somewhere in between the chirp or squeak of a belt slipping or a high pitched groan of a bearing or hydraulic pump under duress. So... I could be dealing with the belt crossing the power steering pump with improper tension so it's slipping when the power steering unit is under high load, a bad bearing somewhere along that same belt path that is feeling the strain under load, or the power steering unit itself is struggling.

Any ideas how best to most efficiently make a diagnosis without just replacing the cheapest parts first? It's possible there is absolutely no linkage between the slow power steering leak and the noise, or they may be directly linked.

 

[RHINO]

I would diagnose that that as the belt first, if only because of the timing of a recent replacement having been done.

 

[sodafeld1]

yep slow turn squeal, when not tyres, usually power steer belt is slipping. First port of call.

If you have leakage probably should fix that too, which involves pulling the pump, which are quite pleasant to re-seal. There is a pretty good vid by a fella on youtubby resealing one from a 2h. The hoses also tend to crack over time. Doesn't say what you are driving but, if it is 30 years old plus, time to do it. Worth getting a new bearing for your pump too whilst you are in there, may need to order ahead for that one, also seen pspump shafts which are good prices but probably not needed.

Pvo on my pump didn't bolt all three bolts, so the shaft was getting pulled unevenly by the tension of the belt which caused a weep.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I'm looking for help diagnosing the most likely problem and / or how to isolate which problem is the most likely.

Some more info, like what model and engine helps. If the new belt doesnt solve it, I would remove the pump and get it bench tested for pressure and bearing noise etc.

 

[kgrove]

Some more info, like what model and engine helps. If the new belt doesnt solve it, I would remove the pump and get it bench tested for pressure and bearing noise etc.

My bad - it's a '95 Prado - KZJ78 with the 1KZ engine.

 

[oemhardtop]

I'm dealing with the same issue as you. Have you resolve the issue yet?