How do I know if it is the belt or pump making that noise?

Is there any way to tell by looking at it myself whether or not I need a new pump installed, which is very expensive and I have no money, or if its the fluid or the belt, how can i tell if the belt is bad?How do I know if it is the belt or pump making that noise?
Is it a high pitched screeeeeeeching sound? First check the tension of the belt. I do not know what type of belt it is, but there should be no more than half an inch of movement. Take some soft soap and rub it onto the inside of the belt. You won't have to cover the entire belt, about four or five inches will do. As it moves the soap will spread. If it is the belt, and the belt is the right tension, the noise will stop. MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WHEN YOU CHECK THE TENSION AND APPLY THE SOAP.How do I know if it is the belt or pump making that noise?
if its the belt it will have cracks on the underside. If it is the powersteering pump, it will come right from the source, use a cardboard tube from a old papertowel and put one end to your ear and the other to the unit. Do not use WD-40 on anything, if you get it on the belt and the engine cannot turn the pulley you will be without power steering. or loss of power to the engine.
a belt will be dried out looking, and maybe cracked. It will also some times make a very high squealing sound.


For a couple of dollars you can get some spray on stuff called belt dressing. Follow the directions(Very easy) and if the sound goes away after using it, your belt is the problem.
There are chemicals out there to stop squealing belts, but you can just use a soapy water solution in a spray bottle. Spray it on the belt while its running, should quit squealing if its the belt. This is not a fix for your problem, only a test...
Check the power steering pump fluid level.If low that is probably it.If the belt is cracked on the inside replace it.If tension is low the tensioner may need to be replaced.
Does the belt look worn or frayed ? Try spraying WD40 on the belt while the motor is off, of course. Then start it and if it still squeaks then its not the belt.
you can tell if the belt is bad by looking to see if the belt is pealing or if it is sqeeking
Take some greese and put on the underside of the belt with the engine off. Start up and if the noise has changed it is the belt.
if it's making a loud noise, it's the belt.