really bad noise on my mk1 172 please help

[mike172lpool]

Iv got this really ban noise with my car I start the engine and it makes a high pitch squeak then stops after a second or two then when I try to turn the steering wheel it is hard to turn and makes a grinding like noise and judders then the squeak starts again while I am driving the car and the wheel is still hard to turn and judders

I really need help with this as I aint got a clue thanks mike

 

[mike172lpool]

it had a new cambelt about 2 1/2 months ago

 

[Fred@BTM]

aux belt is loose by the sound of it

 

[benji&eka]

^yep, what he said. get it looked at ASAP

 

[mike172lpool]

what is the aux belt

 

[benji&eka]

the only one you can see. o/s engine bay, its a serpentine jobby that runs your alternator, power steering pump, water pump and air, if you got it

 

[Da]

the aux belt will also run the power steering pump, hence why if it's slipping it will be hard to turn the wheel. Also by doing this you'll be putting excess strain on the steering rack. The aux belt is often referred to as the fan belt, but in reality drives the auxillary items (power steering etc...)

 

[mike172lpool]

could it be the pump with what i have described

 

[benji&eka]

possible, but check the belt first. either way the problem needs to be found, cos when the aux belt fails its got a nasty habit of taking the timing belt with it

 

[Da]

doubtful with the squeaking you've described. More likely the belt slipping.

 

[mike172lpool]

the only place im gonna drive it mate is to the garage on mon morning that is about 1mile away tops the problem has been on and off for a while but today it has just gone totally

 

[mike172lpool]

is it a quick job to sort out the belt????

 

[benji&eka]

couple of hours (taking it easy) and a couple of skinned knuckles

 

[Da]

Relatively easy, although i've never done one on a 172. iirc I did mine from underneath but it's some years ago now. It does need tentioning so always best to have someone who knows do it.

 

[mike172lpool]

thanks for the help on this as i did not have a clue

 

[benji&eka]

yeah and headlamp out, slam panel off (makes the job easier)

 

[Dan@SJM]

no need for the head lamp, just the slam panel and lift the engine. its also self tensioning, soyou will need a 10mm sump plug key to undo the tensioner.

 

[mike172lpool]

is this a common fault on them and am i ok to drive it to the garage??

 

[Christopher]

pretty easy job if you take the headlight, slam panel out.

i also unbolted the engine from its mount and jacked it up a couple of inches. that helped a lot. easy to do, even on your own.