First of all, I don't know much about this stuff. I have a 1999 TH.

I overfilled the power steering reservoir a while back. From then on I did notice a squeaking noise with the wheel at (almost) full lock but I just avoided locking the wheel and didn't think much of it.

Tonight I was driving home and suddenly I had no power steering. I remembered about overfilling the reservoir (and have since syringed some out) but while checking it out I noticed a bare pulley and then, of course, a shredded belt.

I've read every thread to do with power steering and I still have a few questions I was hoping someone could help with.

Is the power steering belt by itself? I read that only the air con is on the same belt but couldn't determine which model that was referring to. Is it just the air con? Does that mean it's 'safe' to drive?

Could this be an indication of something else wrong? Did I increase the pressure too much by overfilling and should I be looking for another problem? Or is it just a case of an old belt biting the dust and I should just replace it and be done with it?

Thanks in advance.

Overfilling makes no difference to the life of the belt or the pressure in the system. You might get fluid spilling over the reservoir and make a mess though.

(The "I have read" sentence is a worry, what is wrong with sticking your head under the bonnet and working it out for yourself? Good idea to visually inspect the engine on a regular basis.)

Power steering has it's own belt, alternator and aircon work off a second belt. Steering is very heavy without the belt, so don't drive it.

These belts are well hidden and last a long time. According to the manufacturers, they need to be checked regularly. Cracks across the ribs are acceptable, but if any rib bits over 1 inch (2.5 cm) are missing, it is time to replace the belt. I replaced both belts on my TJ at 120,000 km because they were showing rib cracks but no rib sections missing.

Not a good idea to run these belts until they fall off by themselves, they can wrap around the crankshaft and damage the crank angle sensor etc under the plastic cover. So check often, replace before failure. OK?

Read up on how to replace/adjust these belts, these flat ribbed belts need to be surprisingly tight, unlike the older "V" groove belts.

Thanks MadMax.

Not sure what the issue is with reading threads on power steering... something went wrong so I tried to read up on it. I don't know enough about engines to work anything out myself.

I'll get it replaced and keep an eye on them from now on. Thanks for the explanation.

Mmmm Power steer belt was the start of my nightmare of Magna Meet in 2008. Well thrashing the living daylights out of the car(Old Big N/A Motor) down the highway Power steering Belt snapped and knocked the AC belt off also. AC Belt got caught behind the the crank pulling and caught the timing covers. Smashed the timing covers and put pieces of the timing covers in the timing belt and see you later engine.

That was worse case and i got it all.

As stated above i wouldnt drive the car with no belt and you will just hurt yourself or somebody else. Belt snapped as it was well and truely past its used by date.

Thanks MadMax.

Not sure what the issue is with reading threads on power steering... something went wrong so I tried to read up on it. I don't know enough about engines to work anything out myself.

I'll get it replaced and keep an eye on them from now on. Thanks for the explanation.

No issue really. lol
Just one of my little peeves about people not doing regular visual checks under the bonnet and they get caught unawares with their power steering absent without leave. lol Read Ego's post to see what MIGHT happen.

If you are keen to learn about the Magna mechanically, read the manual, or post questions on this forum.