I think the bearing or entire steering pump is "heading down the road". The other day I started the car and a noise like a playing card held against a fan came from under the hood. A squeal occured when I turn the wheel to leave. No choice but to contiinue as I had to get home - forty miles away. After arriving home I left the engine running and check unde the hood. The rattle was attention getting and seems to come from between the engine and right fender. Turning the steering wheel met with resistance and loud groaning.

The car is now parked in the back yard.

I think the steering pump (or worse gear) is failling. I was getting what I thought was belt squealing or bearing noise miles back. A week ago the car was in for an oil change and I mentined the belt noise. The gararge said the issue was belts and they tighted them. I think the additional tightening accelerated the steering pump failure.

The car is a 1999 626 2.5L with 162,000 miles. Steering fluid at nornal level. There is a coolant leak near the overflow reservoir but I don't think there is a connection between the two problems.

Ideas?

Reg

 

Hated to have to do it but the shop has her. Steering was stiff taking it in.

 

$416.90 later is was the steering pump as I thought. My cost for the pump would have been $123.00. The shops price $255.00. As if the hourly labor rates aren't high enough.

Curse this cold weather and one day off. I had no desire or time to lay on a cold garage floor.

Per the shop manager the pulley would haven eventually failed resulting in the loss of the belt. On this car the steering belt also drives the water pump which would have left me in a pretty pickle. In other words you can't just keep going a do without power steering unless you can somehow bypass that pulley.

Reg