changing a power steering belt

[morkus64]

Question editied:

Ok, so it's the power steering belt. Consider that's like a $6 part, how difficult would it be for me to change myself? I'd rather not give $15 (for "diagnosis"), +$$ for the part at an inflated price, +$$$ for labor to Sears Auto.

 

[radioouman]

dexron is tranny fluid. You can get it anywhere, lol

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: radioouman
dexron is tranny fluid. You can get it anywhere, lol

What he said.

 

[grillmasterP]

DEX II/III ATF

 

[Dead3ye]

You haven't looked to hard. Wal Mart, Advance Auto, Pep Boys, etc. Hell, I think even Kmart has it.

 

[morkus64]

Well, i went to sears auto, they didn't have it...

Anyhoo, i checked and the levels seem fine. In some other thread at some point on some forum someone told me that this or the brake fluid level might be the cause of the squealing my car makes (for a short time after it starts up when i start moving, especially turning. Stops after a few minutes of driving).

Doesn't seem to be the case. Any other ideas?

 

[Dead3ye]

Sounds like a belt squeal to me. Check the tension on the belt that drives the power steering pump.

 

[iamaelephant]

It's a power steering belt. Tighten or replace.

 

[morkus64]

ooh, thanks for the info

how much should that cost to fix?

 

[PandaBear]

Dexron II/III is the plain vanilla of ATF and they are everywhere (walmart, autozone, kragen, toyota dealer sell Type-IV which is compatible with Dexron II/III in your application). You can also use Power Steering Fluid which is a weaker version but more expensive.

 

[morkus64]

bump, i changed the question.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: morkus64
Question editied:

Ok, so it's the power steering belt. Consider that's like a $6 part, how difficult would it be for me to change myself? I'd rather not give $15 (for "diagnosis"), +$$ for the part at an inflated price, +$$$ for labor to Sears Auto.

You have the 1.6L or 1.8L? I have a '95 1.6L and while I haven't changed the PS belt yet, it would be a pain to do. The alternator is the outside belt of the three. At minimum you will need to remove the alternator belt. The PS might actually be the 3rd belt so you'd have to remove the A/C belt too. And the A/C and PS belts are both down on the side of the engine...not as exposed as the alternator belt which was easy to do. If you're mechanically inclined I'm sure you can do it, but otherwise go take it in because you don't want to screw up the belt tension. IMHO if it is the 3rd belt you might as well replace the other two if they aren't fairly new.

 

[morkus64]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: morkus64
Question editied:

Ok, so it's the power steering belt. Consider that's like a $6 part, how difficult would it be for me to change myself? I'd rather not give $15 (for "diagnosis"), +$$ for the part at an inflated price, +$$$ for labor to Sears Auto.

You have the 1.6L or 1.8L? I have a '95 1.6L and while I haven't changed the PS belt yet, it would be a pain to do. The alternator is the outside belt of the three. At minimum you will need to remove the alternator belt. The PS might actually be the 3rd belt so you'd have to remove the A/C belt too. And the A/C and PS belts are both down on the side of the engine...not as exposed as the alternator belt which was easy to do. If you're mechanically inclined I'm sure you can do it, but otherwise go take it in because you don't want to screw up the belt tension. IMHO if it is the 3rd belt you might as well replace the other two if they aren't fairly new.

thanks for the info, how much should they charge for replacing it?

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: morkus64

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: morkus64
Question editied:

Ok, so it's the power steering belt. Consider that's like a $6 part, how difficult would it be for me to change myself? I'd rather not give $15 (for "diagnosis"), +$$ for the part at an inflated price, +$$$ for labor to Sears Auto.

You have the 1.6L or 1.8L? I have a '95 1.6L and while I haven't changed the PS belt yet, it would be a pain to do. The alternator is the outside belt of the three. At minimum you will need to remove the alternator belt. The PS might actually be the 3rd belt so you'd have to remove the A/C belt too. And the A/C and PS belts are both down on the side of the engine...not as exposed as the alternator belt which was easy to do. If you're mechanically inclined I'm sure you can do it, but otherwise go take it in because you don't want to screw up the belt tension. IMHO if it is the 3rd belt you might as well replace the other two if they aren't fairly new.

thanks for the info, how much should they charge for replacing it?

Sorry, I have no clue. I did my alternator belt myself and luckily haven't had to mess with the other two yet.