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Hi,
The power steering is above the AC compressor and that pulley below drives it.
If the Power Steering pump isn't turning at a decent speed, then the steering wheel will be harder to turn, especially, if stopped still at a light or while parking.
Your belt is apparently not working very well now, to turn the Power Steering Pump.
It's unlikely that a Power Steering pump will lock up and cause it's belt to get hot!
There's just not that much to it or work for it to perform unless you are turning the wheels!
When Adjusting "A" belt its tension should only deflect about the thickness of the belt down from a straight line.
This is when, pushed down, moderately, with a strong thumb pressure or without adding a wrist and a forearm for leverage, in between its two pulley's should be sufficient to not let the pulley's be spun by hand, if you could grip them. Real tight is not good for bearings of all the accessories.
The TRICK is to find out what has caused ONE year old belts to get hot in the first place!
The Crankshaft pulley drives both of those at the same time.
So that belt is thicker or heavier to convey more power over to the other two!
This is the lowest belt coming over from the center of the engine.
It's possible that the Crankshaft pulley is slipping internally to make a noise and not able to turn the accessories. That can be a rumble or squawk,
But squawks and squeals are more reserved for belts!
Heat getting generated it's not good news!
If it's a hot bad magnetic coil, of the clutch plate assembly is one thing or even a possible BEARING is another?
If it's locked up inside the pulley, of the AC compressor, then that would cook a belt too!
Same belt, just the opposite end!
These are separate units, from the actual compressor unit itself.
The Bearing only needs to spin freely when the AC is off.
When the AC is "On" the whole affair turns together, so, the bearing is not required to spin at all! It goes back and forth during cycling.
It's happening, all the while, delivering power to the Power Steering Pump never stops!
I hope you haven't over charged the Air Conditioner as that will overload the belt as it would make is stop under the belt, just like a bad bearing!
The AC has to be "balanced" charged or it will not work correctly.
There is a slight 10% loss in efficiency with R134 when compared to R12.
This system has a preset orifice and a fixed weight of charge specification that must be adhered too!
A little under is better than way over!
How long has it been since that was done?
If the AC belt was off, then, both pulley's should turn freely except for the drag of the PS pump.
You may have to remove it to feel things out!
There are two bolts that have to be loosened on the compressors body, front and rear, in order to replace the AC compressor belt. The rear one can be difficult to get loosened but not that hard really!
Only then, can you used the Ten Millimeter long "adjusting screw" to pull the compressor away and snug it over!
I hope I help you grasp the picture of how things work down there.
As least if a mechanic works on it, you'll have an idea as to what happened more clearly when he tells you.
Either one of you can do this above, if your GAME and have a few wrenches.
There's nothing like a down home experience, welcomed on your terms!
(:-)
Phil
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