Went to start the car this past Saturday and heard a funny sound coming from the engine bay. Shut the car off and looked under the hood, and noticed what looks like the power steering accessory belt partially broken (see pic below). Is there a DIY written up for changing the belt or does someone have a scan from the helms manual? Also, what's the approx. charge for replacing this by a mechanic?

thanks.

 

I believe you will have to move the accessory belt that drives the alternator and AC compressor in order to access the PS belt. It's fairly simple to do, find the auto tensioner pulley and take a wrench to pull up on it. These relieves the tension from the accessory belt, and at this point you can remove it from around the alternator, AC and crank. With that belt out of the way you can get right to the power steering belt. You will have to loosen a bolt up top to relieve the tension from the PS belt (a long stud sticking up right in front of the PS pulley -- can't miss it).

Someone please chime in if I am missing something.

 

That sounds about right, I would replace the others too while you're in there.

 

You will also need to disconnect that motor mount located in between to remove/install the belt.

 

My belt is fraying too. Sounds easy enough to replace. How about the motor mount what need to be done to disconnect for belt removal. Anyone done this??
Thanks

 

the motor mount doesnt have to be completly removed and pulled out. Just remove the 2 14mm bolts that attach the car side of the mount to the motor side of the mont and lift up to slide the belt thru. If you run into any trouble it may be easier to remove the splash shield to get the belts on easier from underneath.

 

That helps a lot, thanks again!!!

 

Took the car to the mechanic today and he replaced the belt and the belt that goes around the alternator. There seems to be a loud noise coming from the P.S. pump, especially when turning the wheel. He'll look into it more tomorrow morning, but he thinks the pump might need replacing. Also, he found a dead critter (small squirrel or chipmunk) inside the lower plastic cover. Maybe that thing chewed on my belt? Anyone had problems with their PS pump?

thanks.

 

goo thing he wasnt chewing o n the belt when ou started the car.....you would have a little cleaning up to do

 

check to see if the belt is too tight or that the bolts that fasten the pump on arent loose. Dd it make this noise before the belt change?

 

It made the noise today while I backed the car out of my driveway before getting it towed to the mechanic's place. But I can't remember hearing the noise a few days before the belt broke. Another thing we noticed was that the PS fluid was foaming. We opened the cap on the reservoir and turned the wheel lock to lock a few times. After shutting the car off, the fluid flowed out the reservoir instantly.

On a side note, my wife's 2001 Accord started making a screeching noise while turning the wheel. It sounds like a steering rack issue.

 

Kris,

Where did you buy the used steering pump? What's a good place to search for used parts online? A new pump from the dealer is like $300.

 

Check local-national parts houses like NAPA and Kragen

Kragen,autozone and pepboys all have good parts search on their websites

The regular Yellow Pages paper phone book is your friend too