I have '99 CRV with about 168K miles. The power steering has started making a squeaking sound. It's not a whining sound. It's like a high-pitch squeaking or chirping. You can also feel a chatter in the steering wheel.

When the car is stationary (and it's usually when you first start it) and turn the steering wheel you hear the high-pitched chirping and the steering wheel chatters. You have to fight it a little bit to turn the steering wheel. Once the car gets moving the chirping and chattering go away.

I've search the web and YouTube and what I've found for most power steering problems is an air leak. But I have no air leak. There are no air bubbles in the fluid and my fluid level has not gone down.

Has anyone ever heard of these symptoms? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
David

 

Is the belt slipping?

 

Air leak? It's hydraulics... It sounds like you need to adjust and/or replace your power steering belt. Lucky for you it's the easiest one to change.

 

Thanks guys. The belt never dawned on me.

I'm more used to long and loud squeals when the belt needs to be replaced, but I can see how the belt for this little power steering pump can produce these symptoms. I'm going to check the belt.