New member here.
A 2000 Corolla with just under 100 000 km on it.
Lately, there is a screeching noise coming from the drivebelt area. I tried changing the drivebelt, but the noise is still there.
Interestingly, the noise seems to go away when the power steering is engaged (when the steering wheel is turned). Does the power steering pump or pulley need to be replaced?
Thanks,
-Matt
Is the screeching sound coming from the belt itself? It usually does. Did you replace it with a new one and the sound is still there?
1. Check power steering fluid level. Make sure it's near or at full mark.
2. Power steering pulley does not have separate positions during PS engagement or otherwise, and is constantly rotating while the engine is on.
Let us know what you find out.
At first I thought it was the drivebelt, but changing it had no effect.
When the steering wheel is turned, the sound disappears.
Power steering fluid is near the full mark. Could dirty or old fluid be causing the problem? Or could it be the pump itself?
Could be a bad belt tensioner, bad pulley bearing in one of the accessories (power steering pump, alternator, A?C compressor), or bad bearing in the idler pulley. When you turn the wheel, you are causing the power steering pump to load the serpentine belt slightly, that might be enough drag to change how the other pulleys are loaded.
Could also be glazed pulleys. Try spraying the belt with plain water (might add a drop or two of dishwashing soap to act as a dispersant (helps the water stick to the belt). Run the car - if the noise is gone, then you have either a faulty belt or one or more of the pulleys has some type of contaminant on the contact surface.
Dirty, contaminated fluid is another possibility. Just like other fluids, the power steering fluid needs to be replaced at regular intervals. Failure to do so will likely shorten the life of the steering pump, as contaminants will eat away at seals and facilitate corrosion.
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