Was driving tonight...

[Drunken Irishman]

My Jeep was making a funny noise. Like a weird chugging noise. Then it whistled, like the belts were. But it was cold out and I thought that was mostly the cause of those crazy and weird noises. Once I got out on a main road, picking up speed, everything seemed fine.

Then I slowed to take a turn and the steering wheel kinda locked up. It felt like the wheels were stuck. Had to really pull to the right/left to turn the car.

So I headed home and things seemed normal again. I turned on the heater and cranked it to high, but it didn't sound loud enough. Like it normally is much louder than what the sound it was producing.

Another WTF moment.

Anyway, I pull into my street, head to my house and right as I'm turning into the driveway, it locks up again.

Please tell me this is something simple? Does this sound like it just need power steering fluid?

I don't think I can afford anything major. :(

[Tobin S.]

1. Maybe it needs fluid or maybe you need a new pump or maybe you need a new belt

If it's any of those three I don't think it will be too much, but I really don't know for sure. It doesn't sound like something to fuck around with unless you know what you are doing. Take it to a mechanic.

[Schema Thing]

2. may have gotten some air in the power steering fluid

I had a vehicle that when the fluid got low it would actually foam up with air bubbles. It produced effects like you describe.

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. Check the fluid first, then the belt.

A low fluid condition will usually cause the pump to change the sound it creates under a load. Sit with the car idling and turn the wheel from lock to lock. If the pitch the pump makes changes, it's likely a low fluid condition.

If the belt is shiny on the surface that contacts the pulley, it might need a little belt dressing. If it's cracked, it might be stretching under load when the steering wheel is turned.

Good luck.

[Mopar151]

4. If the fluid is low

Put some of this in it.

Stuff works ace on cranky, semi-incontinent power steering. look at the belt, see if there are any obvious leaks. Air bubbles in the steering fluid (pump sucking air - low reservior) do some strrange stuff...

[BlueCollar]

5. my guess is the serpentine belt is loose

or slipping. Shouldn't be much.

Belt's probably 25-35 bucks. You can install yourself or pay shop rate to get it done. shop rate could be anywhere from 50-100 .

no more than 1 hour labor

[Kali]

6. open the hood an look at your belt(s)

you didn't say what model or year, but that helps when people are trying to give advice push down on a section half way between pulleys - it should give a little but not to much - feel around undernieth and see if you can tell if there is a lot of wear or chunks missing.

Find your power steering reservoir, wipe it off and see if it needs fluid. It sounds like belt or pump/pulley to me (the pump going can mess with the belt)

the belt is pretty easy to change yourself - Auto Zone has instructions and diagrams on their website - not perfect but usable. Having a paper version shop manual is a good idea if you can spare a few bucks.

[auntAgonist]

7. Similar problem with my car last week and

it was the tensioner (sp) for the serpentine belt. $45.00 at the parts store and a half hour of work for my husband and it was fixed.

I hope your problem is as easy to remedy.

aA
kesha

[Drunken Irishman]

8. It was the belt. Thanks everyone.

[BlueCollar]

9. You're welcome mate

hopefully the price to fix was right also...

M