Power steering belt broke. Have a few questions

Neondont_play · Post by **Neondont_play** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:05 pm

So, I did read up, and search the forums, and it did answer a few of my questions, but not all. so here it goes. My power steering pump (I think it was anyways) had been making a whining sound, and there was a squeek or squeel coming from the front. I added fluid because the level was low, but it didn't stop. A few days later it got really bad, and I could hear grinding, like metal on metal sort of sound. Then, on the way to work this morning, Power steering went out completely. I had suspected the pump went out, but when I checked it at home, the belt was gone.
The power steering pump pulley spins still, but not like the ac one. The ac one spins freely, and the PS pulley will spin a few times and stop. it also has slight side to side movement. Is that normal of that pulley? Also, the belt tensioner pulley does not spin at all...which I am thinking is why the belt snapped in the first place. What do you guys think?
Also, I heard that this belt runs my waterpump as well, but I did not over heat at all. Is it safe for me to drive to work (other than tight steering) until I can get the parts tomorrow without destroying my car? It's my daily and I can't get to work without it.

Neondont_play · Post by **Neondont_play** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 9:30 pm

I just realized I posted this in steering and suspension, I did not mean to do that

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:11 pm

That belt does not run your water pump, you will be safe to drive to and from work without an issue.

What probably went up was your tensioner. See if it will spin freely and fine.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:44 am

Unfortunately, you need to pull the motor mount plate off to fix the tensioner idler pulley. There is no way to access the screw that holds it on with the plate bolted to the engine.

If you are near 105,000 miles you may as well do the timing belt/water pump/frame mount while you are there. Getting the motor mount plate out is half the work...

If the A/C clutch was engaged, the A/C pulley would not spin free. That is just the over run bearing that is spinning. The PS pump seems good/normal from your description.

Neondont_play · Post by **Neondont_play** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:17 pm

Awesome, thanks guys. I think it is the tensioner also. It does not spin at all. I was looking up how to videos online and yeah...looks like a pain to change lol. But I guess it could be worse