# Squealing power-steering belt

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/squealing-power-steering-belt/14088>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** belts\
**Created:** [May 16, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squealing-power-steering-belt/14088 "2008-05-16T03:12:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Davide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/258eb7/32.png) [@Davide](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Davide)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squealing-power-steering-belt/14088/1 "2008-05-16T03:12:13Z")

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Several times recently, when I leave my workplace in the chilly Michigan air about 9:15pm & start my car’s cold engine (1997 Geo Prizm, but just 75K miles), the power-steering belt squeals immediately (on start-up)for several seconds. I think it’s the original belt. Why is this? Because, due to age, the rubber is getting hard & isn’t “gripping” properly?  
  
 Do I need to get it replaced? (I work an afternoon shift; it doesn’t squeal when I start the car in the warmer mid-afternoon.)

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**Author:** ![cappy208](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cappy208/32/31_2.png) [@cappy208](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cappy208)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 11:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squealing-power-steering-belt/14088/2 "2008-05-16T11:42:43Z")

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if you haven’t replaced it in 75k it’s over due anyway,

yes the rubber gets old, brittle and fails.

if you are handy you should be able to change it yourself.