Power Steering Question + more possibly

[caltman]

Truck is a '98 Explorer Sport 4x4 with 122,300 miles on it.

I drove home from work this afternoon and I noticed this sound like a belt loose or a bearing that was squealing. The closer I got home, I heard this whirring sound coming out from under my hood. I came to a red light around the corner frm my apartment and the whirring got louder and more frenzied.

Light turns green, and I hear something break and ping around, sounded metallic. My Battery light went on and I lost my power steering. I made it through the intersection and pulled over. I wasn't able to make it back over to see what flew out of the engine compartment. Engine was still running so I limped it up a couple blocks, and parked it and shut it off. Opens up the hood and there was power steering fluid coming out of the reservoir with the cap still on.

In a manual I have, it says I may have lost the Power Steering Drive Belt. I haven't heard any noise until coming home. I am hoping I didn't screw anything up driving it a couple blocks, I couldn't park where I was. Any thoughts?

 

[Willard]

Yea, you broke the serpentine belt. Go through and check all the pullys to make sure none of them are seized and get a new belt and put it on.

The power steering fluid tends to do that when you drive it with manual steering.

 

[caltman]

Thanks. I will check it in the morning.

Sucks because I was looking at buying a new car here and trading it in. I love my truck, but I am looking for something new with a little better gas mileage and more passenger friendly. This is either and omen or a curse! I may have to get a G8 GT sooner than I thought!

 

[96eb96]

Thanks. I will check it in the morning.

Sucks because I was looking at buying a new car here and trading it in. I love my truck, but I am looking for something new with a little better gas mileage and more passenger friendly. This is either and omen or a curse! I may have to get a G8 GT sooner than I thought!

Sounds like another idler pulley or tensioner pulley may have bit the dust. I can't be 100% sure though. Try all your pulleys before you put a belt on. Whatever the case, change these things because they are going to fail sooner or later.

If you have a 2nd gen ex you should replace both of these pulleys ASAP!!~~