My Power Steeing Is A Bit Notchy From Cold?

[jamesey]

hi again , just started car on my drive and tried to turn the steering wheel and found it quite difficult it seemed really notchy and i could hear the belt squeeking slightly , ive checked the power steering fluid and it looks really black , and watching wheeler dealers the other day he said if it smells burnt change the fluid , could someone tell me the best way of changing the fluid and the correct type to put in , also what else can i look at if its not that , regards jamesey

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

The fluid is meant to last the life of the car say Lexus but I changed mine. There's a guide to doing it on YouTube but I can't find it right now.

You need dexron II or Dexron III automatic transmission fluid. Dex II is blue and Dex III is red. It doesn't matter which u use and u can also mix them. Maybe yours have been mixed with top ups so that's why it's gone black.

[jamesey]

yes maybe , im just hoping that this is all it needs as ive only just bought it , ill need it soon for a 300m drive down south so not got time to be fitting racks or pumps ect.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

If you fluid isn't low then I'd guess it's either the belt or pump causing the steering to stiffen up.

[sparkystav]

If it stiff and squeeling I'd say the belts loose

[jamesey]

the steering on the road feels very sensitive i dnt know if the lexus is supposed to feel like that , i feel im having a battle just to drive it in a straight line? ill check the belt tommorow when its on full lock it squeels ,

if i took the belt off would i feel if the pump is going down?

[Pete Shawn]

if you can hear squeaking sound when the engine running idle then it might be the serpentine belt .. don't use the belt spray as it wont do much help and end up messing the engine bay. I've changed all three serpentine belt last winter and solve the squeaking as it's driving me crazy everytime the engine start.

Might wanna check any pressure fault if you changed the oil and the problem not solve

[jamesey]

ive checked the belt and it seems tight enough so i pulled the pump pulley and theres a little bit of play in this , should this have play in them? it looks a easy job to change if it is bad?

[sparkystav]

The pumps easy to change and tighten yes, search google for bahamutcars workshop manuals.

[jamesey]

think ive done it , ive changed the belt and the dirty fluid , it seems miles better up to now , ill see in the morning.

[istanbul05]

Mine was doing this when my idle was dropping to low,its stopped doing it since the idle has improved.