So I i don’t drive my g as much since I’m just learning on it but today I took it out for a spin and noticed my power steering had gone out riding pretty stiff and my tire pressure light flashed.The car has been sitting for about a week with no driving at all.I checked through the forums and they had said to check my belts and I did and to my surprise I found this ripped belt.Is this the problem why my steering went out?

 

I suspect not since the belt would at least still be spinning the pulley, however it's possible that due to the reduced surface area it might be slipping on the power steering pulley to some degree but NORMALLY you would hear a violent "screeching" sound when a belt is slipping.

I would start by checking the power steering fluid level, replace the damaged drive belt, see if the problem corrects itself.

 

Also, check your tire pressure to make sure they are all at 35psi, it's possible you're just low on one corner and that the system is working as intended.

 

I did not hear any noticeable screeching but I did hear a loud beeping noise when my tps light came on.I thought maybe it was cause my had been sitting for about a week.My power steering reservoir is sitting at MIN right now not MAX

 

Is the belt that I pictured the same as the V belt?? I called my local auto parts store and they told me it was the same but in person it looks different than the one I pictured

 

Yes that is the drive belt for the alternator and power steering, I verified the part number and the one you have is correct. Make sure to tension it properly or you will damage pulley bearings by putting too much tension on them. You will almost definitely need to re-tension it in a week because they stretch slightly.

Here is the routing diagram in case you don't have the sticker or don't take a picture before removing the old one. The easiest way to access the tensioner is from below the vehicle unless you have small arms and can fit them between the timing chain cover and the fans.

 

Mine is I believe the CS and A/C belt so idk if it’s the same

 

CS = crankshaft
A/C - Air conditioning pump

There is a single IDL = idler (where you tension the belt on that belt), that belt is at the very bottom of the engine.

The other belt drives:
PS = Power Steering
GEN = Alternator/Generator
and is driven by the CS = Crankshaft
the top IDL = Idler is just a blank, it's a holdover from the early 2003 model year that used to have a mechanical radiator coolant fan installed in that location
the BOTTOM IDL = idler, is the tensioner for the accessory drive belt.

 

 

I’m not mechanically knowledgeable haha mine is the Cs and Ac that is ripped the one in blue so I’m assuming it’s the same belt as the other belt

 

Ok the Air Conditioning belt is Continental part # 4040372

 

And to answer a previous question, that style of flat belt is collectively known as "serpentine belts" because of the way they snake around the pulleys, they generally have grooves that run the length of the belt.

Older vehicles used a very simplistic belt design that was narrow, flat, and prone to slippage.

Later (70's era) they developed "v-belts" which had more of a wedge shape and they substantially reduced slippage because of the way they wedged into the pulley.

This later evolved into a "v-belt with individual ribbing" which further reduced slippage and were my personal favorite belt because they were extremely low in cost and had a great life expectancy.

Manufacturer's stopped using this style of belt sometime in the 80's and switched to the common serpentine flat belt because you could use a single belt and the serpentine belt was able to bend both ways. They're convenient and yes I like them but they're generally more expensive and each vehicle requires a very custom size. Older v-belts there were a few generic sizes and the style of tensioner allowed you to use a very wide range of belt lengths.

EDIT: Solid and ribbed v-belts are still used EXTENSIVELY to this day for driving commercial and industrial motors for things like food processing, manufacturing, etc. Low cost, great life expectancy, excellent cross-compatibility.

 

Damn I got the wrong one and have to go to the parts store again tomorrow.Should I replace both just for preventive maintenance? And could the ac belt be the reason why my steering was stiff?

 

Honestly, since you're going to likely be under a car (supported on jackstands...) anyways. I would just replace them both.

SAVE THE OLD ONES!!!! Fold them up, put them in the boxes, hide them in the trunk next to your spare tire!

Even if it's an old thrashed belt like that you should ALWAYS have a spare in your car because when those things break you're pretty much ****ed.

 

Last question for you cleric thank you for being so patient with me haha could I drive the car to a mechanic that’s 10 mins away with me with my semi torn belt and no power steering? Is going to be raining all week here and my mechanic can’t come to me due to me not having a garage