Power steering noise, or tensioner noise ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sleepertruck72 · 07-12-2011, 03:30 PM

After swapping the serpentine set up onto my 72 (from a 97 pickup) I am experiencing a noise almost like a gear drive noise. It gets louder as you rev the engine. At first I thought it was the power steering being a little low on fluid I topped it off and it still is making the noise, and turning the wheels does not increase the noise. I tried to take a video of it but it is hard to hear at idle with my cheap camera. Does the tensioner make noises when wore out. It does "jiggle" ever so slightly when running, but I figured that may be normal. It is not new, but the belt is. I will get a video with the jiggle of the tensioner for you guys to look at. Thanks

ChevLoRay · 07-12-2011, 05:43 PM

Stethoscope.....

Seriously, I have a long (really, really long) thin shank screwdriver that helps me find noises. I put the blade of the tool against what I suspect may be making the noise, them place my head on the end of the handle. Use the part of your head that is right in front of your ear.....yeah, that funny little part in the middle of it right by your sideburns....or where you'd have sideburns if you had any hair.

But, they make stethoscopes just for this purpose. Place the probe where you want to find the noise and it will help narrow it down. Oh, don't do it while driving.....You need to be parked.

sleepertruck72 · 07-12-2011, 05:47 PM

Chevrolay,
Thanks for the input

I will try it to narrow it down

Here is a video clip to hear the noise. It does not change by turning the wheels, and it turns/steers fine but it seems to be right at the pump. Maybe I got air in it ?

YouTube - ‪power steering pump...

ChevLoRay · 07-12-2011, 05:55 PM

I bought a new Astro in '88. When it had about 12K miles, I heard a noise that I thought was a bad idler. So, I got a new one and put it on while on vacation. It didn't help.

I went to the dealer when we got back and it had a bad power steering pump bracket....a cracked bracket. But, at least they couldn't put a tensioner on it and run me off.

Still have that tensioner. In the original box. Yippee.

07-12-2011, 03:30 PM	#1
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Power steering noise, or tensioner noise ? After swapping the serpentine set up onto my 72 (from a 97 pickup) I am experiencing a noise almost like a gear drive noise. It gets louder as you rev the engine. At first I thought it was the power steering being a little low on fluid I topped it off and it still is making the noise, and turning the wheels does not increase the noise. I tried to take a video of it but it is hard to hear at idle with my cheap camera. Does the tensioner make noises when wore out. It does "jiggle" ever so slightly when running, but I figured that may be normal. It is not new, but the belt is. I will get a video with the jiggle of the tensioner for you guys to look at. Thanks __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

07-12-2011, 05:43 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Power steering noise, or tensioner noise ? Stethoscope..... Seriously, I have a long (really, really long) thin shank screwdriver that helps me find noises. I put the blade of the tool against what I suspect may be making the noise, them place my head on the end of the handle. Use the part of your head that is right in front of your ear.....yeah, that funny little part in the middle of it right by your sideburns....or where you'd have sideburns if you had any hair. But, they make stethoscopes just for this purpose. Place the probe where you want to find the noise and it will help narrow it down. Oh, don't do it while driving.....You need to be parked. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-12-2011, 05:55 PM	#4
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Power steering noise, or tensioner noise ? I bought a new Astro in '88. When it had about 12K miles, I heard a noise that I thought was a bad idler. So, I got a new one and put it on while on vacation. It didn't help. I went to the dealer when we got back and it had a bad power steering pump bracket....a cracked bracket. But, at least they couldn't put a tensioner on it and run me off. Still have that tensioner. In the original box. Yippee. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.



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