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Belt Squeak? w/ video

Killer Frogs

Jr. Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
317
Loc.
Amarillo, TX
The squeak was bad on cold mornings then would stop once it warmed up. Then it wouldn't stop. I loosened the belts and now the squeak won't stop. I also put old belts on, no difference. I took off the power steering belt to make sure that wasn't the cause of the squeak. Here is a short video with the squeak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yEOZUunlh4

How tight should the belts be?
 

blubuckaroo

Grease Monkey
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
11,795
Loc.
Ridgefield WA
The squeak was bad on cold mornings then would stop once it warmed up. Then it wouldn't stop. I loosened the belts and now the squeak won't stop. I also put old belts on, no difference. I took off the power steering belt to make sure that wasn't the cause of the squeak. Here is a short video with the squeak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yEOZUunlh4

How tight should the belts be?

Belt slipping has less to do with tension than the belt fit. If your belt or pulley is worn out, the belt won't wedge into the pulley properly.
 

Fairlane514

Full Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
508
Loc.
Houston
Is it the power steering belt? What size tires are you using? My 33x12.50x15 caused my original P/S pump to squeal the belt when not moving. Changed to the canned ham style pump....problem solved
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
49,459
Didn't notice in the video, but is that a stock alternator or a higher output type?
If a stock one of 60 amps or less output, try cleaning the grooves of the pulley(s) with some carb cleaner and Scotch-Brite pads or sandpaper, then tighten the belt good. If a belt slips, it's more likely to do it when loose than tight. Loose won't get rid of the squeal until it's so loose that you don't get good performance from your alternator.

The Gatorback's are designed to reduce squealing noises (not necessarily the slipping) by changing the harmonics of slipping. But new belts and clean grooves can go a long way.
Double check that things are not misaligned or the wrong size belt is being used as well of course.

Now, if this is a 70 amp or larger unit, you may need dual belts or a serpentine conversion.

Good luck. That's a very annoying issue that lots of us have had to deal with.

Paul
 

Fairlane514

Full Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
508
Loc.
Houston
May not be relevant can't see in the video. There are 7 degree and 9 degree V belt pulleys. Using the wrong degree belt can cause issues.
 
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