mclasser

I had the PS pump off my 02 Accord yesterday to replace the leaking pump cover seal. When I went to put everything back on and tighten the PS belt, the steering wheel bound up and squealed upon turning. I saw the PS pulley actually seizing up. Yikes! I thought I tightened the belt to the original tightness but obviously this wasn't the case. I used a 1/2 in drive ratchet to lift the pump up/down to achieve proper belt tension, as spec'd by the factory service manual. I tried three more times but the belt still squealed and seized up upon turning the wheel -- albeit less and less after each attempt. I then put an 18 in pipe on my ratchet and pulled the pump up with all my might and locked the belt down. Everything was whisper quiet again.

I went to start the car this morning and the belt still squealed and bound up when turning lock-to-lock. I re-tightened the belt as much as I could and now it's quiet again. The belt doesn't appear worn and didn't do this before. Any ideas why such force was required to tighten it down?

MAD_MIKE

Verify the belt is not glazed.
Verify there is no oil on the crank pulley nor the PS pump pulley.
Verify the crank pulley is not loose or elastomer has derteriorated to a point that the inner hub and outer ring are beginning to separate.
WD40 can be used to stop squealing and help clean up any grease/oil that may have gotten on the pulley.
Don't over tighten the belt, this just places unwanted stress on all the components.
Older/used belts do need to be tighter on reuse than a newer belt which will have a bit of stretch.

holmesnmanny

On the longest side of the belt, in the middle of that side, twist the belt with your fingers. It should only twist 90 degrees. If it turns more or less than that then it needs to be adjusted.

jollyhonda

Sounds like you may have a pump problem. The pump should not be locking down.