Expert: Calvin Iwashita Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: Power Steering Problem
Question My wife was close to home and on the phone with me while driving and suddenly it sounded like she was dragging something behind her, or underneath the car, and the car shuddered a bit. She pulled over and the sound stopped and then the power steering was out, within a few minutes the car began to overheat, fortunately she got home right when it started to over heat, (so says she) the radiator fluid was bubbling and the brake and battery lights were on, what would cause this and how do I go about repairing it?
Answer Hi Keith -
Looks like the drive belt went out. Usually the belt runs the water pump, power steering, alternator, and A/C, or any combination of that. Are you going to replace it yourself? If you want direction, I would need the make, model and year of the car, then I can walk you through it.
It is a simple job if you want to take it to the nearest mechanic (be careful, do not run it more than a mile or so without a belt) probably cost under $50.
