squealing belts

[roadman5312]

Before you installed the new belts did you spin the alternator, water and power steering pumps by hand ? If you did you would be able to feel if a bearing was starting to go bad. When you drive the car does the power steering feel normal ? Just thinking.

[1970A-66Challenger]

Had the same issue, ended up being power steering belt. I used a paint pen to mark the pulley and belt in corresponding places to confirm belt was slipping.

[roadman5312]

Another thought. Remove the first 2 belts, start engine, see if it squeals. then install next belt, etc. In other words narrow down which belts is the culprit, go from there.

[Bullitt-]

Just a thought, Had a intermittent screeching once, turned out to be a steel tranny line barely touching a pulley. 

[jordan]

Great ideas.  I will do some more investigating tonight.  Im gonna run out and check a car show before it ends right now, and do some more work when I get home.  I hope one of these ideas works.  The PS pump is new, and the water pump is too.  The alternator is older, but not ancient. 

[roadman5312]

Don't forget that just because a part is new it can be defective. Especially made in China. Good luck.

[msbaugh]

Anyone ever used a heim joint/tensioner rod to keep their alternator belt tight? I wonder how well it would work? I have the same problem but it's just because my damn alternator will not stay tight no matter what I do

[roadman5312]

Anyone ever used a heim joint/tensioner rod to keep their alternator belt tight? I wonder how well it would work? I have the same problem but it's just because my damn alternator will not stay tight no matter what I do

I use them on street rods/customs. Makes adjustment very easy. Look cool too on the right car/engine.

[jordan]

I removed the PS belt.  Squealing stopped. I sanded the pulleys.  No fix.  More sanding.   No fix.  I stripped some paint off of the crank pulley.  Still squealing.  I believe my tension is good.  Frustrating.  Sounds good otherwise, except for the squealing!  Makes it sound like a beater!!!. 

[Bullitt-]

My PS bracket has a 1/2" square hole for a pull bar/ratchet to insert to apply tension, hard to get enough without using it.

[jordan]

I used the square to tension it.  I went for a drive anyway to see if it would seat in or break in or something.  No luck.  Still squealing away like I never even tried to make it better.  My neighbor mention using belt dressing to "lube it" so if it does spin, it won't make noise.  That doesn't seem right, but it may be a solution.  Maybe?  Should I really really crank on it, kind of over tight to see if it stops?  For some reason I think it is spinning on the crank pulley.  I should mention that my PS pump also is connected to my Hydroboost brake system.  Could there be some associated resistance with the pump spinning more fluid to the brake system? 

I got some thumbs up  , and some bicyclist yelling "awesome car man!" as I took a short jaunt in the country.  I can't wait to get the front and rear aligned, but so far it feels really good.  Smooth over the bumps, but firm.  It corners very flat.  No rattles from the body.  Rides pretty quiet; the muffler are not too loud, but not quiet either.  The trans appears to shift appropriately with the factory setting in the TCU.  If I roll on the throttle, this car really moves!! But if I stab it to the floor, it bogs a moment, and then comes alive!!!    I got a bunch of little things to work out, but I am getting closer and closer!!!

[polarbear123]

The belt dressing is sticky and will stop it from slipping but it won't last long.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Have you confirmed the the pulleys for the power steering belt are in line with each other?

[jordan]

I did a quick look at alignment.  It may be off just a hair, so I will see if I can add a washer between the bracket and pump just on one bolt to see if it will put it in alignment.  If it works, it would be great! 

I have an appointment for the front alignment on thurs, so Im dropping it off on wednesday night.  I don't want to be too embarrassed if it is squealing like crazy!  I am nervous leaving it anywhere right now, but it has to get done.   

[Chryco Psycho]

I just do my own alignments , if you set it to factory specs it will steer poorly .
 All I do is - first make sure the ide height is even & where you want it
-second turn the front adjusters all the way out & the rear all the way in
third, use a level ,digital is best, across the rim so the top of the wheel tips in slightly , you mayhave to back off the rear adjuster slightly to make the tire more vertical .
 - Last you need a friend , adjust the toe in with a tape measure across the front & rear of the tires using the exact sam place in the tread front & rear so you have 1/16 " of toe in .
 I have done this on cars & the owners did not trust the set up so they took it in for a "Pro" alignment only to have it steer worse after the pros set it up .
 unfortunately I really don't have any other suggestions for the belt issue .