Question on power steering pump 87 camry

[hardyrxp]

Hello Only when the car is cold and you turn the steering wheel you hear a loud squeaking noise. I checked the belt and it seems to be somewhat new and tight. I checked the power steering fluid level that is good. So my questions to you are..... Are the power steering pumps notorious for leaks or going bad in 87? What are the signs/symptoms of a power steering pump going bad? How can I find out if I can fix the noise or if I need to replace power steering pump? Have you heard of this problem or similar in a 87-91 Toyota Camry? Thanks for your help in these matters.
Dave

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by hardyrxp

Hello Only when the car is cold and you turn the steering wheel you hear a loud squeaking noise. I checked the belt and it seems to be somewhat new and tight. I checked the power steering fluid level that is good. So my questions to you are..... Are the power steering pumps notorious for leaks or going bad in 87? What are the signs/symptoms of a power steering pump going bad? How can I find out if I can fix the noise or if I need to replace power steering pump? Have you heard of this problem or similar in a 87-91 Toyota Camry? Thanks for your help in these matters.
Dave

Other than the squeeking noise how does the power steering work? It very well could be a loose or worn power steering belt that is causing the squeeking noise. Loose belts are known to make noise when cold but once they heat up the squeeking noise goes away. Just something you might want to check before replacing the power steering pump.

JOET/CAMRY

[hardyrxp]

Hello,
Only when the car is cold and I turn the steering wheel does it squeak. The squeaking goes away as soon as the car warms up. I have checked the belt its new and seems to be tight I will check it again though to be sure. I have tried to see if its leaking and its quite hard to see where the power steering hoses attach to the pump itself there is no room to see or look or move down there POOR DESIGN on that part...... Well I think it might be related to a leak because I noticed that the fluid was a little low not much maybe a little more than a millimeter. So I check for leaks on the top side (easy) where the power steering hoses attach to the reservoir looks good there. I have yet to check under the (cover/protective sheath) that is over top of the power steering hoses and again I can't see …… where the pump is because of a poor design on the car. I can see the pump but not clearly where the hoses connect to the pump. The other thing is if I wanted to replace the pump how can I do that I have no clue is there a website that you recommend to go to for such info? I have the Haynes Manuel and I will check that when I can dig it out of the trunk. However I am concerned here about not much space/room to work when I go to change it. MAYBE I SHOULD DO what everyone else recommends just drive the car....lol I like to fix and have things correct I am like that good on me..... Well any other help you can give/send me would be wonderful because I am running out of things to try thanks.
Dave