Belts Squealing

C

COXterra

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Denver, CO
I have been having issues with my power steering belt squealing on every start. I had the belt replaced about a year ago and it ended up shredding off in about 2 months. Then I had it replaced again. Over the last few months(since the snow started) the squeal has gotten worse. I don't think it is the tension on the belt since that had been adjusted multiple times. What steps would you guys take to fix this? I thought I read somewhere that the tensioner or a bearing may need to be replaced.
 
C

COXterra

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Denver, CO
chixterra said:
I edited my reply, because I saw where you said on start up. I would just check the bearings to be sure those are ok.
Click to expand...
Oh, I missed that haha. Sorry I am a noob when it comes to anything engine related. How do I check the bearings? Better yet, where are the bearings? The squealing is getting worse and worse and after driving I smell burning rubber, making me think this belt isn't going to last long unless I jump on this asap
 
Ricel

Ricel

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
Rhode Island
If the power steering pump begins to seize, this could cause the burning belt. Have someone start the truck for you while you watch the PS pully. If the belt moves but the pully doesnt, you have one of two issues.

1.) a seizing PS pump
2.) a loose belt

If on engin stop you grab the belt and flex it up and down you should have about 3/4" of total wiggle room. (someone verify that for me)

If no play, then its too tight, too much play its not tight enough.

If its goldie locks just right, then you might have a pully issue.
 
xearth

xearth

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
Dayton, OH
COXterra said:
I have been having issues with my power steering belt squealing on every start. I had the belt replaced about a year ago and it ended up shredding off in about 2 months. Then I had it replaced again. Over the last few months(since the snow started) the squeal has gotten worse. I don't think it is the tension on the belt since that had been adjusted multiple times. What steps would you guys take to fix this? I thought I read somewhere that the tensioner or a bearing may need to be replaced.
Click to expand...

I had my belts tightened and that fixed the issue for me. It was pretty unbearable after a while. I always hated getting crap from people too like "I thought you liked you car" and other such comments
 
AaronsX

AaronsX

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Bowling Green, KY
Well I went mudding yesterday and now it does it for 5 seconds every single start up...I sprayed wd40 on the belt in a few spots and it actually didn't squeal the last time I started my x tonight. I have read online if it doesn't stop the best idea is just to replace the belts.
But idk what belt it is and I'm not replacing the timing belt cause I just did that
here a video I took today on mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYNn...xt=C3b84586UDOEgsToPDskJibeb-msyDz2tCcThq8y3d
 
Maxterra

Maxterra

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
West Haven, UTAH
If/when you replace the belt, while the belt(s) are off, go an spin every device or pulley that's driven by the belt to see if you feel or hear noise/drag.
When cold, a bad bearing may be partially seized from heat from the last time it ran. Can be very hard to find the culprit that's seizing up, but better to find it near home than out in the boonies.
If the vehicle is very high mileage, you ought to make an effort to just start changing out all the components proactively.

On my f350 PST, had similar problem and started changing out idlers, tensioner, etc and finally found it to be the water pump about seized up when cold.
On my son's pathfinder, idler bearing bad.

Then again, quite often a start-up momentary chirp & squeal is sign of a bad belt, hard & glazed along with a weak tensioner.
The load the alternator pulls while initially charging the battery from vehicle start will cause the belt to briefly slip.
 
Maxterra

Maxterra

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
West Haven, UTAH
At 80k, definitely a belt With replacement tensioner!

I just picked up a spare belt for my '06, and was surprised that they offer and promote the "package" of tensioner and belt together now.
I'm only 40k, but will change all out around 50-ish.
 
C

COXterra

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Denver, CO
Well I shouldn't need a belt. Like I said, mine is less than a year old and has maybe 6k miles on it. It is still under warranty too.
 
C

COXterra

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Denver, CO
Today I tried to pin point the squeal and of course, I can't get it to happen again. I'm thinking about splashing some water on each pulley and see if that recreates the squeal.
 
JGBimle

JGBimle

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Altoona, PA
Iv been having this squeal now for over a month. Literally every startup and it last 10 seconds sometimes. Drives me crazy but cant pinpoint it. Belts are in good shape and dont seem like the tension needs adjusted. I do notice a burning rubber smell now that I read thru this but never put the two together.

Did you end up resolving the issue?
 
KBTerra

KBTerra

Bought an X
Location
Gray, GA
I had one squealing on startup as-well. Turns out it was the altenator belt. I made a few quick turns of the adjustment bolt and all is good now.
 
JGBimle

JGBimle

Bought an X
Founding Member
Location
Altoona, PA
I wonder if mine has something to do with the alternator. I replaced the alternator in the spring. Maybe something is loose
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top