Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty Power Steering Belt
If you hear strange noises coming from the front of your vehicle or the power steering belt looks worn, replace the power steering belt.
The power steering belt is an important part of your vehicle's power steering system. The belt can either be a V-belt or, more commonly, a V-ribbed belt. The belt supplies power to the steering and, in some cases, to the A/C compressor and alternator. Over time, the power steering belt can crack, tear, loosen, or wear out from constant use. There are a few symptoms to look out for before the power steering belt fails completely and your vehicle is left without power steering:
1. Belt noise
If you hear a squeal, screech or chirp coming from the front of your vehicle while driving, it could be due to a worn power steering belt. A belt can wear in different ways, and noise coming from the belt is one sign that you should have your power steering belt checked and replaced by a professional mechanic.
2. Inspect the belt for damage.
If you are comfortable inspecting the power steering belt, you can do it at home. Check the belt for breaks, oil contamination, belt damage, gravel in the belt, uneven rib wear, rib splitting, pilling, and occasional rib cracks. All these are signs that the power steering belt is out of order and needs to be replaced immediately. Don't wait, because steering is a safety issue and driving without it will be dangerous.
3. Slip belt
In addition to noise, the belt can slip. This can cause the power steering to malfunction, especially when needed. This can be seen when the belt has stretched almost to the limit. This most often occurs when making a sharp turn or when the power steering system is heavily stressed. A slipping belt can cause serious problems as the power steering intermittently fails, causing strange steering problems.
Better left to the professionals
Replacing the power steering belt requires a certain level of mechanical tools and skill. If you are not sure, then it is better to entrust this work to professionals. In addition, the tension must be correct so that it is not too tight or too loose in V-belt systems. If the belt is too loose, the power steering will not be as responsive. If the belt is too tight, steering will be difficult.
If you hear strange noises coming from the front of your vehicle or the power steering belt looks worn, you may need to have the power steering belt replaced by a qualified technician. At the same time, the mechanic will check all the components he powers to make sure everything is working properly.
AvtoTachki makes power steering belt repairs easy by coming to your home or office to diagnose or fix problems. You can order the service online 24/7. Qualified technical specialists of AvtoTachki are also ready to answer any questions you may have.
