[Guest]

My power steering squeals sometimes when I turn the wheel on my 69 malibu. I have checked the fluid level and it appears to be ok. Are there belts associated with power steering? If so, where are they attached and can they be lubricated? Thanks

 

[Midnight Marauder]

Only belt i know of is the one that runs from the steering pump pulley to the crank pulley. I would check the tension, make sure the pulley is aligned and not bent and then add some power steering stop squeek additive and lube. Might just be time for a new one. Can you feel any friction in the wheel when you turn and get the squeel? Any stiff spots in the rotation? Dont lube the belt, they make belt dressing you can apply to the underside in order to make it more "tacky" and keep it from slipping.

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'70 SS 396 4spd
TC# 1341

"You're just jealous because the little voices are talking to me"

 

[cjlandry]

Yes, there is a belt that drives the power steering pump. It goes from the crank sheave to the pump's sheave (pulley). Try tightening the adjustment on the pump or maybe (worse case) go to the parts house and get some belt dressing.

If it isn't a belt squealing, it could be internal noise. Mine does this sometimes on full turns at moderate speed (taxes the pump). I think a rebuild or replacement might be in order for mine in the near future.

Can anyone tell me what's involved in rebuilding an original '68 PS pump?

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My Web Page (updated 9-17-01)

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Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #04556
'68 El Camino

 

[cjlandry]

Looks like I was typing while Midnight posted his reply.

BTW, does that "stop squeak" stuff work? Is it bad for the seals or anything? Or does it just prevent aeration of the fluid?

[This message has been edited by cjlandry (edited 10-26-2001).]

 

[Midnight Marauder]

I see it at Kragen, Pep boys, etc all the time. It prevents foaming and lubes all the seals and conditions the pump. I used it in my SS and it stopped leaking but still had problems. Turned out the pump was junked. But it has worked for me in the past. Not sure if that is more masking the problem than fixing it though.

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'70 SS 396 4spd
TC# 1341

"You're just jealous because the little voices are talking to me"

 

[tubbed68]

My '68 Malibu does it whenever I turn the wheel all the way. I put a new belt on it and it still does it. I'll either live with it or replace the pump next.

 

[charbilly2001]

When you turn your wheels full lock you make the power steering "dead head". That means making the pump pump when there is no place for the fluid go except that your power steering pump has an internal relief (mini flow) that ports excess pressure from the discharge of the pump to the suction of the pump. Your power steering will develop as much as 1200 (that is an approximate pressure.) psig when deadheaded against the miniflow and it definitely will make noise when you do that especially if you rev the engine. For what its worth power steering pumps are "positive displacement" pumps. If you turn them they WILL pump. If there is no flow path for the discharge of the pump something will break. You asked if there were belts associated with power steering which makes me wonder if you have a front wheel drive car where the belts might not be so easy to see. Is that the case?

With respect to belt "dressings" I have never used one that didn't cause more problems than it cured. So I am not in love with them. Just one man's opinion.

If you are getting "squeal from a maladjusted belt then the solution would be to tighten it (carefully).

If you are hearing the squeal of the pump at full lock its normal and normally not to be worried about. Needless to say you shouldn't spend too much time in that condition since heat will develop quickly. (work of the pump)

good luck