i just replaced my power steering pump pulley and put a new belt on my I6 cherokee. i tensioned the belt to the specified amount in the manual, but it has started squeling. it gets worse as the engine gets warmer and when i give it more gas. i'm not sure what i need to do to remedy the problem. is some squeling normal on a new belt? do i need to put more tension on the belt?

[Edited on April 12, 2007 at 2:24 PM. Reason : l]

4/12/2007 2:10:09 PM

might not be tight enough. that or if you have a crayon or some soap try aplying to belt

4/12/2007 2:35:47 PM

^Do not put any crayon or soap on the belt. It just makes it slip...and that ain't what you want.

You need to retension the belt. Belts (especially cheaper ones) tend to stretch a bit when they are new).

If you are having squealing issues after you do that, then inspect all your pulleys carefully for any contamination and spin everything to see if you feel any binding or worn bearings or components. Sealed-bearing idler pulleys (and that would be damn near ALL idler pulleys) are especially prone to such issues.

4/12/2007 2:42:36 PM

i put a new one on my 4.0 a while back and had it what i thought was tight but it squealed also. tighten (what may seem like) the shit out of it and itll be fine

4/12/2007 3:58:08 PM

Quote :

"tighten (what may seem like) the shit out of it and itll be fine"

This is not good advice... A good way to ruin bearings and components actually...

4/12/2007 5:10:09 PM

I had this same problem when the dealer fixed the AC unit two summers ago. The thing just stretched out and squealed like hell. They tensioned it a bit more and the problem went away. If you're not sure how much to tighten it, perhaps you should take it to a shop?

4/12/2007 6:00:00 PM

^^ im not saying tighten it untill theres zero play because i know that will decrease belt and component life among other things. what i was saying is that, at least to me, the amount of required tension seemed more than expected and that a few extra cranks on the adjuster doesnt make a great deal of difference in the tension when felt by hand but will cut out the squealing.

4/12/2007 10:44:45 PM

Quote :

"might not be tight enough."

4/13/2007 11:13:44 AM

thanks, i checked the belt and it had stretched another 1/2" from where i had tensioned it originally, i tightened it back, and i guess i'll keep an eye on it for a while

^^i knew what you meant, thanks for the help

4/13/2007 1:55:28 PM