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I have a Holden Calais and have had the drive belts replaced but keep getting a squealing noise.

I took it back to the mechanic who then said that it was the bearing on the power steering so I had that replaced but the noise continued.

Once again the car was returned and the squealing disappeared for a day.

Now they are saying the power steering pump needs replacing.

Can you tell me if this is correct or have they just not put the belts on correctly?

Gerardine

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 12 March 2010

I have just gone through a very similar experience with one of the AA cars. If we had not investigated this problem ourselves the AA could have spent around $800 on parts and labour for a power steering pump which was not required.

I'm not prepared to say it's not the pump causing the squeal but what I can say is, it's highly unlikely.

There are a number of different drive belts fitted these days (alternator / air conditioning / power steering) and until they have totally eliminated them all, then I would not be giving the approval to replace the pump.

Have you tried turning the A/C off and seeing if the noise goes away? This is one quick way of eliminating the A/C belt.

As an aside, is the repairer offering to reimburse you for the bearing they have replaced unnecessarily?

The problem you now have is; if the pump was replaced and all the belts tightened correctly and the squeal was eliminated, how do you really know what was the real cause?

Talking to the workshop manager about the work done so far and your nervousness about spending money unnecessarily is one option. The other is to take the car somewhere else for a second opinion.

Often a wee spray of water (keeping your fingers well away from moving parts) on the individual external belts will eliminate the squeal temporarily and is one way of confirming a belt problem.