Steering Squeal

[mannisf]

Hi!
I have been hearing the squeal when turning wheel all the way to either side for a while. Recently I changed all drive belts (incl. steering). Squeal started to get worse and squeal when I turn the while just a bit while stopped or pulling in and out of parking spot. I tightened the steering and alternator belt and did not help. I flushed the power steering pump and added new fluid and still won't stop.

Does it mean need new pump or problem with rack? Or is there a possibility for some other "quick fix"?

[PsychoFan]

Is the squeal coming from the engine or wheels?

Any chance your brakes are going out or tie rods need replacement?

I just replaced the tie rods on my 02 elantra for the first time (~95K), so that may be the life span?

[antoine9120]

I'm curious about this too because I have the same problem with my 2003 Elantra. I mainly notice this in the morning when the car is cold and I haven't turned the wheel fully yet. If I turn the wheel fully in either direction I won't hear that sound for a long time (although I am starting to hear it at times that the car has been driven for a while already). This leads me to believe that it is the pump for the power steering fluid, but I'll check with my mechanic the next time I visit him.

[mannisf]

I retightened the ALTERNATOR ( NOT THE STEERING) belt and viola the terrible squeeking stopped!

[sur618@yahoo.com]

QUOTE (mankel @ Feb 9 2011, 09:13 PM)

I retightened the ALTERNATOR ( NOT THE STEERING) belt and viola the terrible squeeking stopped!

My car had squealing noise when turning left ada right, I tightened the power steering belt to max, was OK for 2 days and started squealing noise again after (only when turning left or right). I was thinking the power steering pump or rack and pinion was bad. After I read the info from Mankel, I checked and tightened the alternator belt. The noise is gone now. I never thought before, that alternator could be heavier when we turn the steering wheel. Thanks to Mankel for his info can fix my car.

[7474]

QUOTE (mankel @ Feb 9 2011, 10:13 PM)

I retightened the ALTERNATOR ( NOT THE STEERING) belt and viola the terrible squeeking stopped!

Thought it was the power steering pump also until this post. WORKED PERFECTLY!!!! THANKS.

[AbleSmith]

I think you will have to replace your transmission fluid and steering fluid, check out whether any leak on reservoir. Check the power steering pump, may be that is failed, if then replaced the same.

[01egt]

Sure enough, it was the alternator belt that was the problem. Replaced all the belts and no more problems. The A/C and Alternator belts were very worn, dried and cracked. Car is so quiet now.

Now to figure out why and where the antifreeze is leaking from and fix the back brakes and non-functional e-brake. Only need another year or two out of this car. 01 Elantra GT with 150k miles.

[mapoff]

This makes no sense. My car has a single belt going from the PS pump to the crankshalf. The alternator has a separate belt going from the alternator to the crankshaft.

The mechanic said the rack and pinion had to be replaced. If this works, it will be a total mind blow. I'll update.

[hughesc9393]

Had the SAME exact problem with my car mapoff haha.
When I turned the wheel lock to lock, the power steering belt would squeal.
But when driving and turning, it did not.
And one day my alternator belt snapped, and my power steering would not work.
Didn't understand that.
So I got a new alternator belt, tensioned it to spec, and woolah. No more squeal.
Couldn't believe it.

Seems to be a common problem? I've seen 4 other posts like this lol