Had timing belt replaced... now steering is messed up!
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Had timing belt replaced... now steering is messed up!
So as the title suggests I took my car to a dealership to get the timing belt replaced (also had to take care of an SRS light) I got my car back today and I noticed when I take sharp turns at a low speed the steering wheel seems stiff and has a lot of resistance to it. Definitely not a smooth feel. Also there is some slight chirping/squealing noise. Most would say a bad accessory belt, but 1) the car made no noise before I took my car in and 2) the tech actually did say my power steering pump belt was in good shape.
I can replicate it easily by parking the car, putting it in reverse, turning sharply as you would when backing out of a space.
Any idea what this could be? Again, this happened after a timing belt/water pump replacement. What could they have possibly done to the steering? I plan to take my car back tomorrow and want to get some ideas of what it could be before I go.
I can replicate it easily by parking the car, putting it in reverse, turning sharply as you would when backing out of a space.
Any idea what this could be? Again, this happened after a timing belt/water pump replacement. What could they have possibly done to the steering? I plan to take my car back tomorrow and want to get some ideas of what it could be before I go.
#2
Moderator
Uuhhh, make, model and year of car?
#3
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Oh, I thought it was still
<---over there
03 CL-S
If I had to guess I'd say they didn't set the tension properly on the belt for the powersteering pulley. Although I'm sure someone else would have a better guess. I can't imagine how much they could fsck up the steering with a timing belt change.
<---over there
03 CL-S
If I had to guess I'd say they didn't set the tension properly on the belt for the powersteering pulley. Although I'm sure someone else would have a better guess. I can't imagine how much they could fsck up the steering with a timing belt change.
#4
Burning Brakes
Oh, I thought it was still
<---over there
03 CL-S
If I had to guess I'd say they didn't set the tension properly on the belt for the powersteering pulley. Although I'm sure someone else would have a better guess. I can't imagine how much they could fsck up the steering with a timing belt change.
<---over there
03 CL-S
If I had to guess I'd say they didn't set the tension properly on the belt for the powersteering pulley. Although I'm sure someone else would have a better guess. I can't imagine how much they could fsck up the steering with a timing belt change.
#5
Suzuka Master
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1) Belt tension gauge method
2) Deflection method
Both of which are attached.
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frankjnjr (09-19-2017)
#6
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Turns out it was the belt. I had the tech measure it and said it was way too loose.
Now I'm paranoid the tech that did the timing belt didn't do that properly either. The other accessory belt was fine, though.
Now I'm paranoid the tech that did the timing belt didn't do that properly either. The other accessory belt was fine, though.
#7
Your Friendly Canadian
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Different car, but I remember it being very difficult to get sufficient tension in the power steering belt when I did the timing belt and water pump on my car. There was no tensioner, just a belt between the crank pulley and adjustable power steering pump. I had to heave on it much more than I thought to get enough tension in that belt.
The alternator's position is adjustable via a long bolt. Ratchet tight or loose to increase or decrease tension on the alternator belt. Was much easier.
My point is that you're right to expect no problems from a dealership job, but this is an easy mistake to make.
The alternator's position is adjustable via a long bolt. Ratchet tight or loose to increase or decrease tension on the alternator belt. Was much easier.
My point is that you're right to expect no problems from a dealership job, but this is an easy mistake to make.
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#8
Drifting
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There certainly are items that can be done incorrectly on a timing belt job such as mis-mounting of the water pump, which may cause coolant leaking or being a complete derp and not torqueing down the components correctly. However, in terms of the belt itself, you'd likely notice a problem if the belt was installed incorrectly. Even one tooth off and you'd notice a difference in the way the engine idled and ran. Two teeth off and you'd have misfires, backfires or significantly decreased power or mileage.
#9
Moderator
Moderator Note: Moved to model-specific forum.