Power steering went...

[dvto2]

My 2005 6 cyl. has been sitting for most of last year with some serious issues, particularly bad frame rust. I drove it last month and the steering was fine, but yesterday the power steering was gone. I changed tre fluid last year, one of the last things I did to it. Why might it go suddenly like that?

 

[dvto2]

Bump

 

[SurferUK]

Is the belt slipping on the pump? Any noises?

 

[MikeinNH67]

Is there any fluid in it? It's common for the pipes under the radiator to rust. I just scabbed in a piece of pipe on mine last week because of this.

 

[dvto2]

Arghhh. I looked again and the serpentine belt had snapped. This car has 266k and bad rust on the frame (with a hole in one part). It may be nearing its lifespan.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Arghhh. I looked again and the serpentine belt had snapped. This car has 266k and bad rust on the frame (with a hole in one part). It may be nearing its lifespan.

That'll do it. Make sure everything spins freely before putting a new belt on. The alternator on these sits so low they can freeze up from lack of use and end the life of your belt. Guess how I know.

 

[waypoint]

Arghhh. I looked again and the serpentine belt had snapped. This car has 266k and bad rust on the frame (with a hole in one part). It may be nearing its lifespan.

Sometimes, people open the hood and troubleshoot before they post.