millskyle

So I have a 2000 jeep cherokee sport and the power steering keeps like screaming when u turn the wheel I checked and the power steering is full and the power steering keeps going in and out does anyone know what would cause this?

Jimbo Slice

Bad power steering pump?

extrashaky

A power steering pump makes a groaning/whining sound when it's low on fluid or going bad. This is not a Jeep, but it's a good example of what steering pump whine sounds like:


Is it that groaning sound, or is it more of a squealing, like this:


If it's the second noise, your belt is slipping, and it becomes louder when you turn the wheel because the power steering pump is working harder and putting more stress on the belt. The most common cause is that the belt isn't tight enough. The best way to make sure it's tight enough is to use a belt tension gauge, like a Krikit.

Another potential cause is that your belt is just worn out and should be replaced with a Goodyear Gatorback. Another cause is that something has leaked onto the belt. Another cause is that a pulley bearing is going bad, causing the belt to slip against it. But it's usually just not tight enough.

So which sound do you actually have? Or is it another noise altogether?

MtnGoat

FWIW my xj belt starts to squeal when the weather gets damp.
I take a wire brush to the rib side of the belt while the engine is idling.
Stops the problem immediately.

toasterknight

You need to tighten the belt more.

extrashaky

And check the tension with one of these:



O'Reilly and Napa sometimes carry them locally. For the 1997 and later XJs, tighten to 140 to 160 lbs. ft. for a used belt and 180 to 200 lbs. ft. for a new belt (you tighten new ones more because they stretch as they break in). Check your FSM (or ask Cruiser) for the tension on the earlier ones.

You can't rely on the test where you twist it or push it to guess how tight it is. When you get it to the proper tension, you'll be surprised at how much tighter it needed to be.

madmanmarty

Check fluid first,belt second,& if that doesn't work it may be a PS bearing.

quneur

Does it make the sound while idling?