This guy is legit. He knows everything! I went to school for automotive & diesel technology 17 yrs ago, and although I never pursued it as a career I am constantly fixing vehicles for friends, family, and neighbors. I often find myself chasing my tail with certain issues and this would have been one of them! I would have changed the idler, tensioner, and belt....cursed up a storm when it was still squealing, then proceed to change the harmonic balancer, and drive accessories one by one just to suffer a brain aneurysm and possibly a heart attack simultaneously when non of that would have worked! Great job MR. O!
I could understand the first time around when the first shop got it. But when the vehicle came to the second shop, I'm sure the owner would mention to them about this issue had reappeared. Glad to see you got it fixed once and for all!
My '97 k1500 with a 5.7 was doing this, I took it to a shop and they couldn't figure it out. That didn't stop them from charging me. Gave me dirty looks when I came back. Watched this video and checked the power steering pulley, it was in too far by one quarter inch. Got it set in the right place as you describe and haven't heard a single squeak since. Thanks Eric O!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video! It saved me from going crazy trying to find the source of the squeak on my sons dodge pickup. We did just as you instructed and now no noise!
I have done at least 500 of those...lol..Worked for years at a HI/lo(Auto Parts) in Houston and never once did it with Wrenches ...Always pulled and installed with an Impact ....We had a Special tool for Pulling but for installing we used the kit that came with the Pump ( Threaded bolt...flat washer...square Nut).☺ Kudos Mr O!!!
Love the video, my son had a Jeep Wrangler that was eating one rib off the belt. Took me about 4hours to finally find the problem. The rubber on the crankshaft went bad and caused the pulley to move ever so slightly. Finally found the problem when I could just see a little bit of shinny metal on the crankshaft telling me it moved. Put on new crankshaft pulley and fixed the problem.
Well played Mate! Your diagnosis and solution was spot on. Nice to see a quiet lorry back on the road..................the poor bloke who had to listen to that will be your friend forever! He should shower you in quid for that service!
Glad that worked for you. I bought a 97 4l V6 Ford Ranger 4x4 with 135K. I changed out belts hoses etc and washed the engine. No squeel (we are talking loud enough to attract attention four houses away and be extremely loud in the cab) before horrible squeak after. Took the belt off and washed it with detergent rinsing very very well. Cleaned all pulleys with a wire brush aligned with a straight edge. Squeel big time. Bought new belt, same. Changed out (trying each time) tensioner, fan clutch, power steering pump etc. Put dial indicator on each checking for run out and straight edged it for alignment also checking proper belt tension. All good still unbearable squeel which didn't go away. A local mechanic said he had encountered the same thing and used a particular (Goodyear Gator Back as I recall) belt which was the only way he resolved it. Well by then I had tried three other new belts with no good effect. Seemed Goodyear had quit making the right belt. I finally tried an O'Reilly's and it worked. Quiet as a mouse. However it only lasts about 3k and if any oil, anti freeze etc (one drop) gets on it it is toast (at one point the lower radiator hose clamp was too loose and on the test drive it dripped on the belt--couldn't wash it clean and had to replace a belt). Even a wind driven rain overnight soaking the radiator will cause a squeel on start up but fortunately it goes away in a minute or two. After replacing two of the O'Reilly belts they inform me that my "lifetime" guarantee is now up and the next will cost me. At $40 a pop I don't really want to have to replace belts every 3K. Ever run into such a situation? I used a stethoscope before firing the parts cannon but without any real cause revealed it became psychological paranoia! I ran through every logical explanation I knew of or heard of with no solution. The mechanic said same with him he just knew it worked not why. I would love an explanation and a fix as it still occurs after five plus years with the truck. Happy New Year. Take care. Doug
it's due to pulley wear, probably had a fluid leak and kept the belt gritty and wore the pulley grooves wide. once the grooves wear wide the belt starts riding on the pulley peaks and and peak of belt starts riding on bottom peaks, and you squeak squeak. it does seem more like a ford thing vs others. normally the belts will ride the middle areas of the >V
throttle bottle. Thanks for the info. I'll check it out next time. Might have to chuck them up in the lathe and sharpen the peaks and valleys. Only thing I haven't checked. Happy New Year. Doug
usually the smallest diameter pulleys wear the most, alternator for sure and P/S pump second (plastic) but i've seen A/C, and crank pulley cause it also. also the alternators on many of the fords will chirp when the bearing go bad, the rear one gets loose inside a plastic sleeve. it;s not as loud as a belt chirp though probably best to just change the pulleys vs try to cut the valleys deeper and turn the peaks off, it needs to match belt "v" angles and you already have them off.
Thinking about the pulleys though wouldn't that be a constant thing?? I first started having this five years ago and it all runs fine for a year (about 3000 miles) and then starts again. Of course it is all reassembled from when I changed parts. The alternator, power steering (no A/C) water pump and fan clutch give no trouble at all nor have they in the intervening 12k of running. Just the belt starts squeeling as I said if any moisture or fluids get a drop on it. Runs quiet and fine up until then or until approximately 3000 miles of use. I replace the belt with that one brand and it is good again for another year. Does that sound like in your experience it would still be pulleys? All are aluminum or steel no plastic. Just doesn't make any sense to me at all and in more than fifty years of working on machinery boats and cars I have never seen this before. Thanks again for the reply. Doug
That's a pretty cool tool. I never knew they existed. I have found that most pulleys either go on flush with the end of the shaft, or down to the edge of the bevel on the shaft. I always just make sure to look at the placement before I take it off, and so far haven't had any issues.
Great video. A coworker when I worked at a shop briefly gave me a Dayco kit. It may have even been to get it out of his toolbox and free up room but regardless I’m finally seeing an opportunity for it 1.5 years later. I wouldn’t buy it new myself in any relatively soon time if that $100 price I saw somewhere is current, so it’s great to have for free.
actual pulley misalignment amazing! I've mostly found chinesium plastic, aluminum or steel pulleys worn down from fluid leakage and grit eating them. of course no amount of cleaning or belt type fixes that issue, new pulleys all the around.
We have been using Goodyear now Continental Elite belts and hose products for about fifteen years and our noise problems went away been real happy obviously this truck had a different problem but those belts fixed complaints that dayco and gates used to cause.
As soon as i saw the title of this video i thought i knew my problem. My tendioner pulley and s belt were replaced less than 2 years ago aling with timing and any other belts and its been squeeking and squeeling ever since! The tensioner came off yesterday and threw the belt. Guy said the tensioner is stripped. Now im a girl, not very mechanically inclined but gifted with a little common sense. (Still...i didn't investigate the squeeking i just kept saying "its all new belts it shouldnt be squeeking like that"! Its not a river in egypt) But Im thinking now, a misaligned tensioner pulley would cause it to become stripped over a period of time. I could be wrong but im about to find out. Hope i dont have to go buy a laser thingy. 🙄 Thank you so much for this very informative and watc hable video!
This guy's diagnostic skills are supernatural. I could see an 80-year old guy knowing all this, but Eric O. ain't that old, fer cryin' out loud. He's GOOD.
Great video, valuable info. Ive never had a Dayco belt that didnt squeak no matter what vehicle. On my old 2003 S-10 ive had excellent luck with Goodyear Gatorback belts, never a peep of noise and I get excellent service life. No parts stores around here carries them, have to go online. Eric your videos ROCK-!
At 14:55 when Mr.O was spinning that P-Steering pulley you can see the lip of that pulley was sticking out past that washer that was on the Idler Puller after the adjustment at 21:45 you can see the lip on the P-Steering pulley is way in now. Good Job Mr.O
Just want to say your analysis of the source of the problem, and how to correct it was superb...My vehicle is no longer shredding serpentine belts! Problem was power steering pulley was 1/8" from flush.'
Great video on pulley alignment and thanks for showing us how to use the lazer pulley alignment tool. The only problem with that tool is that the magnet sometimes doesn’t hold the tool onto the pulley that well and other pullers or things can block the lazer beam from reaching your target.
Back in my day we just used a piece of floss, some squinting and a yard stick, close enough, never had a squealer. That laser is a bit more definite though.
Eric, back in the mid 80's the first gen front wheel drive Buick park aves and century's with the 3.8 v6 had this same problem, fairly extensive. Back then we took a long extension and while the engine was running, we'd push on the side of the belt at various places etc. and see how that made it worse or lessened the sound and figured out where the problem was. In the case of the v6 there was a TSB on it and the fix was to shim the harmonic balancer out, and that fixed the problem.
I bought a 1989 Ford van that had a belt squeal problem. The dealer sprayed it with lithium grease to stop the squeal. After 4 belts in 2,000 miles I took it to another dealer and the tech came back to me, while the vehicle was out side the shop, with a simple yardstick in his hand and told me to look. One pulley was almost a half an inch off. Thank goodness we had a Lemon Law in our state.
When the grunting starts , swearing is not far behind. You managed well in keeping this a family rated video though.. Gotta love new belts just like new sneakers..
Thank you so much for your tutorial, my chevy astro had the same problem, I re adjusted the power steering pump pulley and the noise disappeared. You are the best, best wishes for you from Las Vegas, NV. Take care man.
This turned out to be my problem. The guy I bought the car from had straight-edged the pulleys but the grooves were still out of alignment. Belt squeeled like a banshee. I pushed the pulley in to match the shaft and problem solved. Thanks South Main Auto Repair
I've heard about those laser pulley devices and was looking forward to your video today. In astronomy we use similar lasers to adjust collimation of telescopes. Astronomy lasers have tiny allen screws to collimate the laser tool, which needs to be done once in a while. Interestingly, the more careful approach is to use non laser optical devices for astronomy. Here, with lots in the way, it would be awkward to use straight edges and strings.
Great Video Eric I probably should buy one of them as Pulley misalignment is more common than one would think but usually it's cause is a pulley failure or water pump coming apart causing the misalignment
Hey Eric, talking to yourself is healthy. Arguing with yourself could be an issue and losing the argument, well, I don't want to think about it. Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks for all the great teachings and videos.
Alain Lemire Actually I think arguing with yourself is ok. I draw the line at beating yourself up and knocking yourself unconscious - that's when you're definitely coo-coo!!
super helpful. I have had a chirp for a while since I changed my ps pump. I noticed the belt was at the back of the idler. I sucked the alternator forward but it wasnt enough. I will check my ps pump pulley this weekend. thanks.
Had a squealing issue on my 4.3,changed belt,tensioner etc to no avail. Turned out to be the power steering pump bearing was worn so it was throwing the belt out of line..A new pump fixed it,but I was amazed that with that much wear the pump was not leaking.Had it been it would have been obvious that was the problem.No laser,but a straightedge works well also
WOAH! You just shined that laser beam right in my eye! I want my money back. If you looked close at the belt coming around that pump pulley you could see it was leaving the pulley at a slight angle heading up to the alternator. Glad you got that all sorted. Happy new year.
Nah. I just told my ex-wife that if she didn't like her husband buying tools then she should have married an accountant. Anyway, that didn't stop her from bitching, so I got tired of her bitching and bailed out.
Another awesome video from SMA.This is the sixth one in a row I've watched tonight and only on my 2nd Inducer Rebuild I guess I'm doing more watching then working. Oh well I know one thing I'm going to get me another SMA shirt!!
I changed everything on my 2000 GMC Sierra 5,3L 4WD but the squeaky rattle would not go away. Its because of The Autozone Duralast belt was my culprit . A Continental Elite , like a Goodyear gatorback fixed it look for a 6PK2340, but I was able to mount a 6PK2335 size which is 5mm shorter. Quiet is nice. Spray water on your belt. If the noise goes away temporarily, you need one of these belts.
I just went through this exact issue on my 5.3L after replacing alt, tensioner, idler, a/c tensioner ( which is unrelated) and power steering pump but I had no laser tool! Ugh man! Initially all the work I did was fine no probs. But then it started raining for days at a time and outside temp dropped down to the 30's and 40's and it started squeeling and bad. 2 dayco belts later, one of which kept walking forward on the crank pulley by a rib which I couldn't figure out for a couple days, repeated adjustments and a lot of cussing I got it right, but once I got it correct with the dayco belt, I put on a Goodyear Gator belt instead to seal the deal. Everything has been perfect since then and it's been staying that way even under heavy work load and repeated full throttling on the freeway etc... I didn't know there was a laser tool, I know now though ughh! Oh well... Thanks for the video I appreciate it.
My wife has a grand caravan 2007 and I can tell the harmonic balancer has way to much play. Looks like it causes the idler pulley to fail prematurely. Given the importance of getting the pulley installed fully and perpendicular I'll pay the pro to install it. I wish Dodge would have put some kind of splash guard underneath. It looks rusted out and the rubber walked out a bit. Great job eric
Squeals and squeaks hit some OCD nerve in my brain and make me wig out, LOL - especially if it's my own vehicle! I'd be going bonkers until I fixed it ... or drove it into a tree to make it stop. :D That laser is pretty neat - I never knew they existed for that type of application! Quick and easy "go/no-go" test there - I like it. On my own vehicles, I usually pry out the grease seals on the bearings, flush 'em out, and pack 'em full of J/D Corn Head grease - works pretty good. My Silverado is at 91k with all the OE stuff (except for the A/C tensioner bearing - spins WAY too fast for NGLI #0 grease - think that one needs a 000 or thinner) - belt and all. Quiet as a mouse ... now, at least. :) She started getting pretty talkative around 70k.
Awesome video!! I've had a squeaky belt from pulling misalignment since I bought my Dodge ram 2500 truck. I've already replaced my tensioner, alternator, idler pulley and your video reinforced my thought of the power steering pump. I have suspicions that I may be coming from?!
I had to replace the pump on my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2 which had the plastic pulley, the junk yard pump had a metal one and it was 1 groove off when I installed it so the belt actually rode on the lip of the pulley. I got a replacement plastic pulley and installed while it was on the Jeep and I bottomed it out, perfect alignment, seems the serpentine belt is more particular that the OLD V belt-- Yes I know about rusted bolts, etc. on old and Northern cars, I was changing the bump stop cups as they were rusted off and I needed to bring it to the muffler shop to weld on a useable nut and remove, the other side i got lucky on and it came off with some serious pulling The 3 12 point 13 MM hub bolts are another PITA when they get old and rusted, be sure to replace when changing the axles, 55.00 for6 bolts not cheap but well worth the aggrevation
Good vid again.. Have to admit when I first tuned in, there was a real Red Green feel to the way Eric produces his video's . (Without the duct tape, but with a Laser) LOL....Good stuff as always!!! I do pick up good info every video.. Thanks for sharing, and the info always gets you pointed in the right direction..
It pulls, It pushes, It Julianne's. Its the power steering remove and install kit from Ronco ( not a sponsor). hahaha...Love it. Just had this issue on my daily driver. Ended up being a cheap belt (yup Dayco. Not a sponsor). Switched to an OEM and problem solved. Neat tool though. will be adding to the arsenal. thanks my friend..
Thank you, this video helped me diagnose my engine bay squeal (alternator belt pulley alignment.) Didn't help me fix mine, though. But I finally know what the problem is: And that's been my problem all along (not knowing or being able to diagnose the source of the noise.) Mine rotated from tensioning it over the years. The method to tension it is to leverage a crowbar against the alternator, but it has gradually caused a very slight twisting of the mount over time (1-2 degrees maybe, it's visible but only barely.) Trying to think of how I can fix this without breaking anything lol.
Had me laughing so hard, "No beam, laser beam; No beam, laser beam; No beam, laser beam!" Its always fun to learn and enjoy your time with Eric O. Hey, dont give up on your Google + subscribers! Not everyone uses facebook you know! Great video.
You always seem to post a video I need.... Just rebuilt my LM7 3000 miles ago and it has a bird chirping under the hood. I remember breaking the threaded rod from the tool I rented from O'Reillys trying to get the power steering pump pulley back on. I dont think they rent lasers though? Never heard of Bando belts in Southeast Michigan. They might carry them at the real autoparts stores (the very few that are left).
My 04 Silverado is doing the same , recently changed power steering pump , going have to set the pump pully in more on the shaft , I'll do laser check since I have few lasers for checking scope alignment on my firearms . Only squeals when turning , so can't be off very much
My favorite is when you get a new "rebuilt" (AKA spray painted black) pump and you go to install the pulley and the threads on the shaft are completely shot and strip right out.
I was working on a home project wall switch replacement. I needed to scrape out some dry wall from a narrow crevice. I started to head downstairs to my tool box to get my 90 degree pick. Then I realized it's Eric that has that tool and I don't have one. I'm watching this channel way too much. I hope I don't call my wife Vanessa. She'll be real upset.
I replaced the belt since it had that glazing on it. Was few years old also installed new Drive Belt Tensioner. And power steering pump and Alternator.
Did anybody else notice the NAS on the side of the ps bracket? If it wasn't as obvious by looking at the belt that would have been a good hint. Another great video.
New Year's Eve Eric O in the morning doesn't get any better. Even though Eric doesn't like Dayco belts if other viewers are like me I always at least look at tools Dr. O uses and I'm starting to use his sayings, but at least I can use them in mixed company.
I use dayco cambelts on subarus and really like them . Used the odd pulley belt and not had issue, prefer them to gates . Most pulley belts we go bando when can . laserbeam cool, grandma didn't have a laserbeam lol
This guy is legit. He knows everything! I went to school for automotive & diesel technology 17 yrs ago, and although I never pursued it as a career I am constantly fixing vehicles for friends, family, and neighbors. I often find myself chasing my tail with certain issues and this would have been one of them! I would have changed the idler, tensioner, and belt....cursed up a storm when it was still squealing, then proceed to change the harmonic balancer, and drive accessories one by one just to suffer a brain aneurysm and possibly a heart attack simultaneously when non of that would have worked! Great job MR. O!
@@tylerwightman2315 hilarious and probably so true!
"That belt is so quiet, you can hear the leaky exhaust manifolds now." 😂😂😂😂
smart. cleaning the grooves is often overlooked.
I could understand the first time around when the first shop got it. But when the vehicle came to the second shop, I'm sure the owner would mention to them about this issue had reappeared. Glad to see you got it fixed once and for all!
My '97 k1500 with a 5.7 was doing this, I took it to a shop and they couldn't figure it out. That didn't stop them from charging me. Gave me dirty looks when I came back.
Watched this video and checked the power steering pulley, it was in too far by one quarter inch. Got it set in the right place as you describe and haven't heard a single squeak since. Thanks Eric O!
This was one of the best videos. Never even knew the depth of some of those pullys is adjustable.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this video! It saved me from going crazy trying to find the source of the squeak on my sons dodge pickup. We did just as you instructed and now no noise!
I have done at least 500 of those...lol..Worked for years at a HI/lo(Auto Parts) in Houston and never once did it with Wrenches ...Always pulled and installed with an Impact ....We had a Special tool for Pulling but for installing we used the kit that came with the Pump ( Threaded bolt...flat washer...square Nut).☺ Kudos Mr O!!!
I love you so much!!! You saved my life again. Thank you for being so thorough. You are the best mechanic ever!!!!!!
Love the video, my son had a Jeep Wrangler that was eating one rib off the belt. Took me about 4hours to finally find the problem. The rubber on the crankshaft went bad and caused the pulley to move ever so slightly. Finally found the problem when I could just see a little bit of shinny metal on the crankshaft telling me it moved. Put on new crankshaft pulley and fixed the problem.
Well played Mate! Your diagnosis and solution was spot on. Nice to see a quiet lorry back on the road..................the poor bloke who had to listen to that will be your friend forever! He should shower you in quid for that service!
Glad that worked for you. I bought a 97 4l V6 Ford Ranger 4x4 with 135K. I changed out belts hoses etc and washed the engine. No squeel (we are talking loud enough to attract attention four houses away and be extremely loud in the cab) before horrible squeak after. Took the belt off and washed it with detergent rinsing very very well. Cleaned all pulleys with a wire brush aligned with a straight edge. Squeel big time. Bought new belt, same. Changed out (trying each time) tensioner, fan clutch, power steering pump etc. Put dial indicator on each checking for run out and straight edged it for alignment also checking proper belt tension. All good still unbearable squeel which didn't go away. A local mechanic said he had encountered the same thing and used a particular (Goodyear Gator Back as I recall) belt which was the only way he resolved it. Well by then I had tried three other new belts with no good effect. Seemed Goodyear had quit making the right belt. I finally tried an O'Reilly's and it worked. Quiet as a mouse. However it only lasts about 3k and if any oil, anti freeze etc (one drop) gets on it it is toast (at one point the lower radiator hose clamp was too loose and on the test drive it dripped on the belt--couldn't wash it clean and had to replace a belt). Even a wind driven rain overnight soaking the radiator will cause a squeel on start up but fortunately it goes away in a minute or two. After replacing two of the O'Reilly belts they inform me that my "lifetime" guarantee is now up and the next will cost me. At $40 a pop I don't really want to have to replace belts every 3K. Ever run into such a situation? I used a stethoscope before firing the parts cannon but without any real cause revealed it became psychological paranoia! I ran through every logical explanation I knew of or heard of with no solution. The mechanic said same with him he just knew it worked not why. I would love an explanation and a fix as it still occurs after five plus years with the truck. Happy New Year. Take care. Doug
it's due to pulley wear, probably had a fluid leak and kept the belt gritty and wore the pulley grooves wide. once the grooves wear wide the belt starts riding on the pulley peaks and and peak of belt starts riding on bottom peaks, and you squeak squeak. it does seem more like a ford thing vs others.
normally the belts will ride the middle areas of the >V
throttle bottle. Thanks for the info. I'll check it out next time. Might have to chuck them up in the lathe and sharpen the peaks and valleys. Only thing I haven't checked. Happy New Year. Doug
usually the smallest diameter pulleys wear the most, alternator for sure and P/S pump second (plastic) but i've seen A/C, and crank pulley cause it also.
also the alternators on many of the fords will chirp when the bearing go bad, the rear one gets loose inside a plastic sleeve. it;s not as loud as a belt chirp though
probably best to just change the pulleys vs try to cut the valleys deeper and turn the peaks off, it needs to match belt "v" angles and you already have them off.
Thinking about the pulleys though wouldn't that be a constant thing?? I first started having this five years ago and it all runs fine for a year (about 3000 miles) and then starts again. Of course it is all reassembled from when I changed parts. The alternator, power steering (no A/C) water pump and fan clutch give no trouble at all nor have they in the intervening 12k of running. Just the belt starts squeeling as I said if any moisture or fluids get a drop on it. Runs quiet and fine up until then or until approximately 3000 miles of use. I replace the belt with that one brand and it is good again for another year. Does that sound like in your experience it would still be pulleys? All are aluminum or steel no plastic. Just doesn't make any sense to me at all and in more than fifty years of working on machinery boats and cars I have never seen this before. Thanks again for the reply. Doug
That's a pretty cool tool. I never knew they existed. I have found that most pulleys either go on flush with the end of the shaft, or down to the edge of the bevel on the shaft. I always just make sure to look at the placement before I take it off, and so far haven't had any issues.
Great video. A coworker when I worked at a shop briefly gave me a Dayco kit. It may have even been to get it out of his toolbox and free up room but regardless I’m finally seeing an opportunity for it 1.5 years later. I wouldn’t buy it new myself in any relatively soon time if that $100 price I saw somewhere is current, so it’s great to have for free.
actual pulley misalignment amazing! I've mostly found chinesium plastic, aluminum or steel pulleys worn down from fluid leakage and grit eating them. of course no amount of cleaning or belt type fixes that issue, new pulleys all the around.
You Da Man...as always all the other mechanics could not find the issue...way to go Eric O.
You should try trying to retime a Chevy 396 with one of those harmonic balancers that slipped
Had to change one for my father-in-law
We have been using Goodyear now Continental Elite belts and hose products for about fifteen years and our noise problems went away been real happy obviously this truck had a different problem but those belts fixed complaints that dayco and gates used to cause.
As soon as i saw the title of this video i thought i knew my problem. My tendioner pulley and s belt were replaced less than 2 years ago aling with timing and any other belts and its been squeeking and squeeling ever since! The tensioner came off yesterday and threw the belt. Guy said the tensioner is stripped. Now im a girl, not very mechanically inclined but gifted with a little common sense. (Still...i didn't investigate the squeeking i just kept saying "its all new belts it shouldnt be squeeking like that"! Its not a river in egypt)
But Im thinking now, a misaligned tensioner pulley would cause it to become stripped over a period of time. I could be wrong but im about to find out. Hope i dont have to go buy a laser thingy. 🙄 Thank you so much for this very informative and watc hable video!
This guy's diagnostic skills are supernatural. I could see an 80-year old guy knowing all this, but Eric O. ain't that old, fer cryin' out loud. He's GOOD.
Great video, valuable info. Ive never had a Dayco belt that didnt squeak no matter what vehicle. On my old 2003 S-10 ive had excellent luck with Goodyear Gatorback belts, never a peep of noise and I get excellent service life. No parts stores around here carries them, have to go online. Eric your videos ROCK-!
At 14:55 when Mr.O was spinning that P-Steering pulley you can see the lip of that pulley was sticking out past that washer that was on the Idler Puller after the adjustment at 21:45 you can see the lip on the P-Steering pulley is way in now. Good Job Mr.O
Just want to say your analysis of the source of the problem, and how to correct it was superb...My vehicle is no longer shredding serpentine belts! Problem was power steering pulley was 1/8" from flush.'
Great video on pulley alignment and thanks for showing us how to use the lazer pulley alignment tool. The only problem with that tool is that the magnet sometimes doesn’t hold the tool onto the pulley that well and other pullers or things can block the lazer beam from reaching your target.
Back in my day we just used a piece of floss, some squinting and a yard stick, close enough, never had a squealer.
That laser is a bit more definite though.
I hate it when I misalign my pulley! Nice video Eric.
Eric, back in the mid 80's the first gen front wheel drive Buick park aves and century's with the 3.8 v6 had this same problem, fairly extensive. Back then we took a long extension and while the engine was running, we'd push on the side of the belt at various places etc. and see how that made it worse or lessened the sound and figured out where the problem was. In the case of the v6 there was a TSB on it and the fix was to shim the harmonic balancer out, and that fixed the problem.
that video of the bald Eagle was fantastic. Better than Suzuki.
I bought a 1989 Ford van that had a belt squeal problem. The dealer sprayed it with lithium grease to stop the squeal. After 4 belts in 2,000 miles I took it to another dealer and the tech came back to me, while the vehicle was out side the shop, with a simple yardstick in his hand and told me to look. One pulley was almost a half an inch off. Thank goodness we had a Lemon Law in our state.
My 97 accord had a bad belt squeal. Took it to an independent honda specialist. He put an OEM belt on...no more squeal.
I was thankful.
When the grunting starts , swearing is not far behind. You managed well in keeping this a family rated video though.. Gotta love new belts just like new sneakers..
Belt alignment and laser eye surgery... all at the same time! :D
lasik by SMA
Thank you so much for your tutorial, my chevy astro had the same problem, I
re adjusted the power steering pump pulley and the noise disappeared. You are the best, best wishes for you from Las Vegas, NV. Take care man.
Great job Mr. O! Thank you for your great videos. Your wealth of knowledge is appreciated! Keep up the great work.
This turned out to be my problem. The guy I bought the car from had straight-edged the pulleys but the grooves were still out of alignment. Belt squeeled like a banshee. I pushed the pulley in to match the shaft and problem solved. Thanks South Main Auto Repair
that was squeeling like ned beatty on a canoe trip lol
i hear banjo music !!!
Gross.
richard cranium so this makes Eric, Burt Reynolds with his bow!
richard cranium Ned Beaty had the hardest part.
Bahahahaaaaa 😂
Thank you. I was tired of buying $80 fan belts. I bought a laser beam and pulley alignment tool.
I've heard about those laser pulley devices and was looking forward to your video today. In astronomy we use similar lasers to adjust collimation of telescopes. Astronomy lasers have tiny allen screws to collimate the laser tool, which needs to be done once in a while. Interestingly, the more careful approach is to use non laser optical devices for astronomy. Here, with lots in the way, it would be awkward to use straight edges and strings.
Rad. Yeah, I’d say the geometry issues of a ray over millions of miles would require a tad more precision than a ray over several inches. You do you.
Learned something new , did not know that pulleys can be aligned manually like you did thanks
Great Video Eric I probably should buy one of them as Pulley misalignment is more common than one would think but usually it's cause is a pulley failure or water pump coming apart causing the misalignment
Belt so quiet you could hear the leaking manifold gaskets 😂😂😂
Excellent info there Eric, I didn't now these types of laser alignment tools were out there.
“That belt is so quiet you can now hear the leaking exhaust manifold,” Comedy courtesy of Eric O. … and lasers, too! Thanks for bringing us along.
Gotta say, that was very interesting as it's not seen often. Well done Dr. O and thanks!
Hey Eric, talking to yourself is healthy. Arguing with yourself could be an issue and losing the argument, well, I don't want to think about it. Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks for all the great teachings and videos.
Alain Lemire Actually I think arguing with yourself is ok. I draw the line at beating yourself up and knocking yourself unconscious - that's when you're definitely coo-coo!!
I've seen the harmonic balancers bonding rubber fail causing the crank pulley to make the same noise. Very common on LS powered Corvettes.
I had a harmonic balancer explode on me once...ahhhh good ol' Northstar
Just fought this problem this summer. Found after changing power steering pump. My pulley wasn't in all the way. 97 Chevy. Same style set up
super helpful. I have had a chirp for a while since I changed my ps pump. I noticed the belt was at the back of the idler. I sucked the alternator forward but it wasnt enough. I will check my ps pump pulley this weekend. thanks.
Nice job Dr Evil. Hope you and your family have a safe and happy new year!!
Had a squealing issue on my 4.3,changed belt,tensioner etc to no avail. Turned out to be the power steering pump bearing was worn so it was throwing the belt out of line..A new pump fixed it,but I was amazed that with that much wear the pump was not leaking.Had it been it would have been obvious that was the problem.No laser,but a straightedge works well also
WOAH! You just shined that laser beam right in my eye! I want my money back. If you looked close at the belt coming around that pump pulley you could see it was leaving the pulley at a slight angle heading up to the alternator. Glad you got that all sorted. Happy new year.
Next you'll be wanting your money back for the bad air.
Nice shout to Leon! RIGHT.....SORTED!!!
Anybody ever bought a new tool and scuffed/ dirtied the case to age it so if your wife asks, you can say "oh, this? Ive had this for a while...." 😀😂
dave1135 lol I am sure almost every guy does that
Mostly with weapons and holsters. Seems I acquire plenty of the accessories. Lights lasers e.c.t. But tools no problem for me.
Nah. I just told my ex-wife that if she didn't like her husband buying tools then she should have married an accountant. Anyway, that didn't stop her from bitching, so I got tired of her bitching and bailed out.
Hey, quit giving away our secrets!
Tools , hunting gear , fishing gear , you name it , guilty as charged !
Thanks for sharing. Very cool and useful tool. I could see from the camera angle that the pulley was not aligned correctly.
Another awesome video from SMA.This is the sixth one in a row I've watched tonight and only on my 2nd Inducer Rebuild I guess I'm doing more watching then working. Oh well I know one thing I'm going to get me another SMA shirt!!
I changed everything on my 2000 GMC Sierra 5,3L 4WD but the squeaky rattle would not go away. Its because of The Autozone Duralast belt was my culprit . A Continental Elite , like a Goodyear gatorback fixed it look for a 6PK2340, but I was able to mount a 6PK2335 size which is 5mm shorter. Quiet is nice. Spray water on your belt. If the noise goes away temporarily, you need one of these belts.
Looked like a perfect opportunity for the "Good Stuff" cleaning out the pulleys.
No beam, laser beam, no beam, laser beam.
Happy New Year! Eric O.
I just went through this exact issue on my 5.3L after replacing alt, tensioner, idler, a/c tensioner ( which is unrelated) and power steering pump but I had no laser tool! Ugh man! Initially all the work I did was fine no probs. But then it started raining for days at a time and outside temp dropped down to the 30's and 40's and it started squeeling and bad. 2 dayco belts later, one of which kept walking forward on the crank pulley by a rib which I couldn't figure out for a couple days, repeated adjustments and a lot of cussing I got it right, but once I got it correct with the dayco belt, I put on a Goodyear Gator belt instead to seal the deal. Everything has been perfect since then and it's been staying that way even under heavy work load and repeated full throttling on the freeway etc... I didn't know there was a laser tool, I know now though ughh! Oh well... Thanks for the video I appreciate it.
My wife has a grand caravan 2007 and I can tell the harmonic balancer has way to much play. Looks like it causes the idler pulley to fail prematurely. Given the importance of getting the pulley installed fully and perpendicular I'll pay the pro to install it. I wish Dodge would have put some kind of splash guard underneath. It looks rusted out and the rubber walked out a bit. Great job eric
I don't know why, but every time you yelled "Stupid Chevy" I cracked up.
Nice way to end the year with a SMA video.
You working with that pulley puller was crackin me up!
Squeals and squeaks hit some OCD nerve in my brain and make me wig out, LOL - especially if it's my own vehicle! I'd be going bonkers until I fixed it ... or drove it into a tree to make it stop. :D
That laser is pretty neat - I never knew they existed for that type of application! Quick and easy "go/no-go" test there - I like it.
On my own vehicles, I usually pry out the grease seals on the bearings, flush 'em out, and pack 'em full of J/D Corn Head grease - works pretty good. My Silverado is at 91k with all the OE stuff (except for the A/C tensioner bearing - spins WAY too fast for NGLI #0 grease - think that one needs a 000 or thinner) - belt and all. Quiet as a mouse ... now, at least. :) She started getting pretty talkative around 70k.
Ahh, forgot to tell you and the family to have a hap, hap, HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D
Great testing diagnostic theory with tool laser beams and pulley alignment
Awesome video!! I've had a squeaky belt from pulling misalignment since I bought my Dodge ram 2500 truck. I've already replaced my tensioner, alternator, idler pulley and your video reinforced my thought of the power steering pump. I have suspicions that I may be coming from?!
Didnt even know that miss aligned belts was a thing. Thx for the vid.
I remember the older tbi/tpi had the exact same issue. Good times dealing with rust and stripped out pump threads....
The "Alternator appears to have been replaced": yeah ..... I watched you replace it.
Right i thought the same thing!
I had to replace the pump on my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2 which had the plastic pulley, the junk yard pump had a metal one and it was 1 groove off when I installed it so the belt actually rode on the lip of the pulley. I got a replacement plastic pulley and installed while it was on the Jeep and I bottomed it out, perfect alignment, seems the serpentine belt is more particular that the OLD V belt--
Yes I know about rusted bolts, etc. on old and Northern cars, I was changing the bump stop cups as they were rusted off and I needed to bring it to the muffler shop to weld on a useable nut and remove, the other side i got lucky on and it came off with some serious pulling
The 3 12 point 13 MM hub bolts are another PITA when they get old and rusted, be sure to replace when changing the axles, 55.00 for6 bolts not cheap but well worth the aggrevation
Good vid again.. Have to admit when I first tuned in, there was a real Red Green feel to the way Eric produces his video's . (Without the duct tape, but with a Laser) LOL....Good stuff as always!!! I do pick up good info every video.. Thanks for sharing, and the info always gets you pointed in the right direction..
It pulls, It pushes, It Julianne's. Its the power steering remove and install kit from Ronco ( not a sponsor). hahaha...Love it. Just had this issue on my daily driver. Ended up being a cheap belt (yup Dayco. Not a sponsor). Switched to an OEM and problem solved. Neat tool though. will be adding to the arsenal. thanks my friend..
P.S. How many uga-duga's in a grunt noise?
Depends on how far the nut(s) drop while overexerting yourself.
Damn, and another conversion factor for the Uga-Duga torque chart!
I’m a Millwright in Canada and we do laser belt alignments often.
You learn something new everyday.
Thank you, this video helped me diagnose my engine bay squeal (alternator belt pulley alignment.) Didn't help me fix mine, though. But I finally know what the problem is: And that's been my problem all along (not knowing or being able to diagnose the source of the noise.)
Mine rotated from tensioning it over the years. The method to tension it is to leverage a crowbar against the alternator, but it has gradually caused a very slight twisting of the mount over time (1-2 degrees maybe, it's visible but only barely.) Trying to think of how I can fix this without breaking anything lol.
Great Work , In the HVAC field we use string .
DP T
Cats like string too lol
What a great tool, i have got to get one!
Used one when I changed a power steering pump on a early 90s ford econoline. Couldn't have done it without it.
Did you use the dayco or an other brand?
They pulley tool I used was some brand that's the same as the ones autozone and advanced carry. Not as good as the mac tool used here.
these were in a bulletin throu GM for the repair done 100s of them!
Well I'll be dipped. I will now have to check out the alignment on my pulleys. That bird is annoying. Great video.👍👍
Our parts store has carried Dayco belts and hoses as long as I can remember. I've installed a lot of both. No issue with them.
Great Repair, never used a laser before Thanks MR O
Had me laughing so hard, "No beam, laser beam; No beam, laser beam; No beam, laser beam!" Its always fun to learn and enjoy your time with Eric O. Hey, dont give up on your Google + subscribers! Not everyone uses facebook you know! Great video.
Squeakage🤔
I think that's a squeaky sausage
Squeakages! :D
Thanks man that helped me figure out why my belt is chirping sounds like it come from my alternator I will check the power steering pump pully.
Who gave this video a thumbs down? It's AWESOME!
You always seem to post a video I need.... Just rebuilt my LM7 3000 miles ago and it has a bird chirping under the hood. I remember breaking the threaded rod from the tool I rented from O'Reillys trying to get the power steering pump pulley back on. I dont think they rent lasers though? Never heard of Bando belts in Southeast Michigan. They might carry them at the real autoparts stores (the very few that are left).
Bando is my number one brand!
Hope your feeling better today!
My 04 Silverado is doing the same , recently changed power steering pump , going have to set the pump pully in more on the shaft , I'll do laser check since I have few lasers for checking scope alignment on my firearms . Only squeals when turning , so can't be off very much
In 1986 we had a bulliten to install a .060 shim behind c/s balancer to get rid of belt squeal.
My favorite is when you get a new "rebuilt" (AKA spray painted black) pump and you go to install the pulley and the threads on the shaft are completely shot and strip right out.
I was working on a home project wall switch replacement. I needed to scrape out some dry wall from a narrow crevice. I started to head downstairs to my tool box to get my 90 degree pick. Then I realized it's Eric that has that tool and I don't have one. I'm watching this channel way too much. I hope I don't call my wife Vanessa. She'll be real upset.
I replaced the belt since it had that glazing on it. Was few years old also installed new Drive Belt Tensioner. And power steering pump and Alternator.
Did anybody else notice the NAS on the side of the ps bracket? If it wasn't as obvious by looking at the belt that would have been a good hint. Another great video.
easiest way to test pulley bearings. Take a spray bottle full of water and spray each one individually. When the noise is gone, you found the culprit.
Thanks for the education Eric
I thank you so much for all the info, There is a lot of this problem,
Happy new year to you and yours
New Year's Eve Eric O in the morning doesn't get any better. Even though Eric doesn't like Dayco belts if other viewers are like me I always at least look at tools Dr. O uses and I'm starting to use his sayings, but at least I can use them in mixed company.
Limited space.
Great job and effort, man!
"...since Moby Dick was a sardine...". I'm going to use that first chance I get.
I use dayco cambelts on subarus and really like them .
Used the odd pulley belt and not had issue, prefer them to gates . Most pulley belts we go bando when can .
laserbeam cool, grandma didn't have a laserbeam lol
If Nick Nolte was a car mechanic.....LOL This guy is great!