Hello,

While driving to work through a blizzard last Monday I lost the power steering. Thought maybe a hose got pulled off, checked the fluid level. It's full. Then thought maybe something froze up. Put it in a heated garage, still nothing. No groaning, no trouble lights, just hard steering. Is there a screen at the bottom of the reservoir that may be clogged?

Thanks,
Trent

 

Belt still there? The power steering pump is driven off its own belt, not the serpentine belt.

 

Did not know that. Will check when I get home. Thanks!

 

Sure enough, looked down at the pulley and no belt. I just looked quick, do you need to remove the serpentine belt to put it on?

 

My recollection is that you do not, but as long as you are down there fooling around with stuff you might as well replace both of them. To get to the belts, place the car on a good jackstand and remove the right front tire, then remove the plastic splash shield under there.

 

OK, thanks. The serpentine was just replaced about 8,000 miles ago before I bought the car, but won't hurt to replace it again. Any particular brand of belt better than the others?

 

If it were me, I'd leave a belt with only 8000 miles on it right where it is.