Hard Steering

[Rayman1086]

My 99 is200 SE is acting up with the power steering, when the car is left sit for a few days the steering initially is seriously heavy, with a belt squeal as i turn the steering column.. however after a short run the steering because loose and lighter, . I thought it was a leak fid and used stop leak with no improvement whatsoever.. is this the vane pump or are the joints just worn?

[Rob]

as u have belt squeel i would tighten the pump first - i would seriously advise againt the use of additives such as leak stopper as all it does is make the seals swell and at the same ruining the seals.

[dazz32]

as u have belt squeel i would tighten the pump first - i would seriously advise againt the use of additives such as leak stopper as all it does is make the seals swell and at the same ruining the seals.

Out of curiosity Rob how do you tighten the power steering pump belt....im no mechanic and dont really know much about doing it....can i do this myself and how tight do you do it? im guessing that OVER tightening is bad for the belt....is it to do with the slide mechanism up and to the right of the pump?

I ask this as i have a slight belt squeel when turning the steering wheel..

Thanx..Daren. :D