Interesting problem I can't figure out so far.

Situation: 2 year old Napa reman. power steering pump. no leaks, seemingly no issues. Under regular conditions, including offroading, works well. During offroading when tires are in a REALLY tight spot it does make some screeching sounds when forcing to steer.

Problem is, I have now noticed when splashing around in a few inches of standing water, I get a few seconds of notchy and heavy steering. I don't see any way that the water could be going INTO anywhere that would cause the pump to work incorrectly from the inside.

So far, my best guess is that the belt coming to the pump is not tight enough and the water helps it slip under load... make sense to ya'll fine folk?
By hand inspection, I guess I CAN make the belt tighter.

thanks for your thoughts.

 

Here's the spec belt tension: http://web.archive.org/web/201207101...10onvehicl.pdf

Someone on this site got a Gates Kricket and liked it:
But if the belt is "close" to the right tension, it may just be worn out.

 

I'll have to figure out a garage mechanics way of testing belt tension..

also, your Gates Kricket link seems to be the same as the FSM link above.



thanks.

 

try this one:

 

ahh, that is what you meant by the gates kricket deal.

hey, now that is worth having at this price. This car alone has too many belts. lol

thanks Scope!

 

I recommend that tool. The thing I noticed on my A/C belt is it seemed tight up top, but when I got underneath to tighten it, it didn't look tight and after checking the tension it was not tight at all. Ended up adjusting the power steering belt also. The alternator was the only one that didn't need adjusting. Yup, a lot of belts!