Need some ideas/help. Well my 4runner has been running w/out a flaw for the longest time but recently a couple of minor(at least I hope so) issues have come up.
First, my power steering seems to be out or at least half-way or so, when I make low speed turns i.e.(parking lots) I pretty much have to man handle the steering wheel to make turns. Another thing is that a whining noise comes whenever the wheel is turned. Checked the fluid and that is full, maybe the belt is loose? Suggestions welcome
The second thing is I've noticed that my runner is making more noise at idle lately, mostly belt noises and such, nothing extremely loud but not the usual smooth/quiet idle? Could it be the weather getting colder? Let me know if I can silence those belt and or other underhood chatter!

Thanks for the help!
Sadiq

 

bump

 

Inspect the belts for cracking. Replace them if necessary. If not, spray some belt dressing on them.

 

Or just get some 14 mm and 12 mm sockets, a ratchet, and maybe some matchign wrenches and just tighten the belts. you should check the tension every 10-15k anyway.

 

The noise and the steering probably go together. Nothing sounds worse than a worn out belt when a car first starts. It doesn't sound much better when idling low. It takes a lot of force to run the pump and power the steering. Mix an old/improperly adjusted belt and voila, lots of noise and quirky power steering.
I'm just about to take my leatherman tool over to the neighbors house and fix their *&%@ing steering belt but good! For months now they go out and fire up that flippin' truck and it sqauwks all the way down the street. Only a little time and a little $ to fix.

 

thanks guys,

yea the noise isn't that terribly loud war cry that some cars make when starting up, its just at idle the belts just squaking and chripping. But yea I will check the tension on all the belts and replace any that need to be.

will the belt dressing really work if the belts appear to be fine and I don't need to change them?