2003 xterra P/S help

[TeggyB18]

So I've got a problem with my xterra. When the temp out side drops, my power steering tends to cut out, and. It want to work. It cuts out, and the belt squeals like a mofo several times during the turn. I popped the hood, and had my wife turn it. And the ps pump actually stops, which stops the water pump bc it shares the belt and the squeal is from the stopped belt on the crank pully.

When it's warm outside, no issues what so ever. And it does not matter the temp of the vehicle, just the temp outside.

So, when it started, the idler was loose (worn baring), so I replaced the idler and belt. Noise still there. I purchased a p/s pump and replaced it. Noise still there. The water pump and t belt were done about 15k ago.


So my question is, do you guys think it could be a bad gearbox? Or air trapped somewhere? I did the typical bleed process (turning wheel a million and 3 times both ways) but maybe I need to do it again? I don't want to just buy crap I don't need, and it sucks driving it in the cold like this.


Any help appretiated. Thanks!

[Grand National Propain]

Put a new serpentine belt tensioner on it . You may have to replace the belt too if its been damaged from slipping. Problem solved.

[coolnick]

Call me stupid, but have you tried tightening the fucking belt?

[Grand National Propain]

^treed old man. ESR.

[TeggyB18]

We'll I have already replaced the pully. It's the kind you loosen and rotate the shaft to bring it up or down to tighten the belt. I called it a idler. Idk why. And the ac is on a separate belt, and the alt is on a seperate belt. All of which has been replaced when I did the t belt.

And yeah, it's tight. I tightened it more when it started happening

[evil8]

ATF for fluid.

[TeggyB18]

Any specific kind you think? It currently has high mileage ps fluid now

[badcoupe]

the high mileage is thicker and may your problem, its really thick in the lower temps. usually the gearbox will fail more when it's cold/first getting used. We always called it morning sickness lol.

[TeggyB18]

Lol ok, ill try something else and try to bleed it again. Thx guys

[TeggyB18]

Figured I'd update you guys, I removed the return hose, it went in a tight loop to connect, so I drained the thick stuff. Well most anyways. And made that hose a straight shot instead of it looking like it was kinking a bit. And replaced the old clamps with new ones, and it made a drastic difference. It will still squeel when I lock the wheel to either side, but it's not acting up like it was. When it's below 15 or so, it acts pretty sluggish until the car warms up. And I'm assuming that's normal bc the age and how old it is. But thanks for the help fellas.