squeeling noise when cold and turning steering wheel

[localkineguy]

Hello all,
Noob here. When I start my car and it's temperature is cold, it lets out an annoying squealing noise (and sounds like a belt problem) but only when I turn the steering wheel. If I leave the wheel in the straight position no squealing occurs. If the car is medium warm, it'll squeal only when I turn the wheel to the full right or full left. There are gradients in between as to when the squeal starts and it seems to be directly related to car temperature. This happens when the car is in gear and neutral.
Is there such a thing as lubrication for a belt and does this sound like a reasonable fix?

 

[MaxPower]

That's a belt squealing. The squealing reduces when the engine is warm because the rubber warms up and becomes more pliable. You can tighten the belt to eliminate the squealing. Alternately, if the belt is old, it might need to be replaced.

 

[protege321]

^^+1 its the belts, replace and tighten. or just tighten the one thats squealing.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I wouldn't lube the belt, I would tighten it. Lube doesn't really fix the problem and can be bad for the belts. FYI, if it is what you are describing, you'll probably have to tighten the A/C and Powersteering belt, but bear in mind that often when you tighten one belt, you then have to tighten the other. I just had to do this a week ago, so feel free to PM me if you have questions. There are clear directions in the shop manual...I suggest moving the cruise control to get to the alternator for that belt.

 

[localkineguy]

I wouldn't lube the belt, I would tighten it. Lube doesn't really fix the problem and can be bad for the belts. FYI, if it is what you are describing, you'll probably have to tighten the A/C and Powersteering belt, but bear in mind that often when you tighten one belt, you then have to tighten the other. I just had to do this a week ago, so feel free to PM me if you have questions. There are clear directions in the shop manual...I suggest moving the cruise control to get to the alternator for that belt.

I will be sending you a private message fo sho. I won't have time to do this until this coming Saturday at the earliest. Is this an immediate problem?

 

[protege321]

no, people drive around with squealing belts all the time, but its a good idea to fix it.

I wouldn't lube the belt, I would tighten it. Lube doesn't really fix the problem and can be bad for the belts. FYI, if it is what you are describing, you'll probably have to tighten the A/C and Powersteering belt, but bear in mind that often when you tighten one belt, you then have to tighten the other. I just had to do this a week ago, so feel free to PM me if you have questions. There are clear directions in the shop manual...I suggest moving the cruise control to get to the alternator for that belt.

im curious to how you tighten the alternator belt also.

 

[localkineguy]

drive belt tightened and no more squealing at any time with any turn of the steering wheel. Thanks guys