Power steering sticky

[alexk]

On a previous mk1 I had a problem with the power steering. In wet weather the steering would freeze around tight corners and would be very noisy and jumpy at full lock. I found that tightening belt to the power steering pump solved this but almost immediately after this the steering pump failed completely. I'm having the same problem again and am wondering whether there is a risk of over tensioning the belt if I try tightening again.

[blue metal]

have you still got an undertray?

The road spray can get onto the belts
letting the belt slip

Tony

[alexk]

No I don't have the under tray, but I think the belt may also be loose because of the noisy end of lock

[gregers]

then get 1.

[alexk]

Ok I get it about the undertray but the question was about whether it is possible to over tension the power steering pulley

[insanitybeard]

You can probably overtension the belt if you're not careful, once it's tensioned you should still be able to move the belt 'up and down' if you try to wiggle it with a little bit of force (in the centre of it's run between any two adjacent pulleys), if you can't or the belt is so taught that it feels like a bowstring then you've probably overdone it! There has to be tension on the belt to avoid slip but too much will either cause the belt to snap or knacker bearings prematurely in any component being driven by the belt- e.g, alternator, power steering pump, air con compressor.

[alexk]

Thanks guys, that helps to focus my attention. Another user was posting recently about similar symptoms (end of lock noise) and alternator clutch fault was also mentioned as a possible cause. But an undertray is definitely a good place to start. Thanks again