sirp

Hi,

Anyone give any tips on how to resolve this issue?

Power Steering belt split, so changed it today with one from a Subaru dealer.
Before the belt change, a slight bit of slip/squeel on hard lock when really cold (this is how I noticed the problem).

Now after the belt change, the pump is whining really bad and have vibrations, neither of which existed before the belt change. I thought the tension may be wrong, so I have loosened/tightened and no difference at all.

Checked the fluid and it is foaming, which suggests air in it (I don't know if this was there before the belt change).

I have tried putting wheels on lock several times to remove air?

Anyone suggest what may have gone wrong, or other things to try?

thanks

Paul

scoobyricht

iTrader: (4)

put more fluid in it and turn lock to lock to get air out, keep checking and topping up if needed. look for leaks too around the rack area underneath just incase.

sirp

the fluid level appears quite high, its appears to be well over the cold limit.

I can't see any leaks

how many lock to locks do you need to do, I have done loads?

sirp

starting to feel its the pump, sounds like an overworked bearing whine now the new belt is on

time to source a pump me thinks...

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Could be that the belt is too tight?

sirp

I thought that maybe the case, but I have loosened it loads, I can press down on the centre really easily, plenty of flex in it. No noise at idle, only when working the steering and its consistent across the whole turn of the wheel.

might give it another go tomorrow in daylight...

scoobyricht

iTrader: (4)

maybe change the fluid for new as much as possible. if its totally full of bubbles it will take ages to bleed the air out. when my fluid has gone very low, due to changing the rack it had a loud whine when turning the wheel. loudest on full lock. topping up and going lock to lock slowly cured it. be better to go for a short drive rather than just going lock to lock on idle.

Spoondanny

when turning the wheel hold it on lock for 5 seconds at a time on every turn that should clear it quicker

dj219957

brim it with fluid past the full mark. it shut mine up years ago and its still going strong.

Spoondanny

o and leave the cap off when doing it

sirp

cheers for the suggestions.

What I don't get is, how can this possible air problem appear after just changing the belt?

I went for a short drive earlier and did some locked turns round a car park for ages, still no difference.

Should I not see any foaming at all in the fluid when I take the cap of then? Is that not normal when its running?

What fluid do I need, easy to get from high street? Easy method o get fluid out?

cheers

Want a last go tomorrow before I visit scoobyclinic for new pump

sirp

well had another look today, tightened the belt and the fluid is really foamy and bubbly, and looks like it was coming up through the lid as puddles have appeared below (hoses are tight and dont appear leaking after a cleanup).

I assume when running with lid of there should no no bubbles at all? even when warm?

should i just suck the fluid out now and add new as much as possible?

sirp

well, changed the fluid and all is okay at the moment!

the old fluid was very black and a bit thick!

new fluid not foaming at all and no noises. Only did one cycle of new fluid so may change again in a week or two.

cheers for suggestions!

scoobyricht

iTrader: (4)

sirp

still cannot believe how changing a belt caused me to need new fluid, or the fact that new fluid can make such a difference...the world of cars eh!

Spoondanny

the simple jobs are the ones that make u wana batter the **** out the car