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Owns A Torsen
Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017
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In the 4th attempt to stop the "squeaking belt" I replaced what appeared to be an aftermarket belt tensioner with a stock one off a 4.0 I have in the back. At the same time I put what appeared to be a virtually new serpentine belt on (best of the 4 I had).
It doesn't squeak now but I'm going to give it like 4 weeks.
So far in the past:
1. I first replaced bearings in all the pulleys (I have a pile of them new) and cleaned the pulleys. Squeaking stopped for like 3 days then slowly came back.
2. I bought a new belt, cleaned the pulleys even better with wire brush and brake clean. Stayed quiet for like a week then started again.
3. It sounded near to the water pump so I took everything off, replaced the water pump, bead blasted the pump pulley and taped/painted it. Cleaned the rest of the pulleys AGAIN by removing and wire brushing, wire brushed the ones difficult to remove, used the new but squeaky belt.
Thought that did it since it went 3 or 4 weeks without squeaking. Slowly it crept back in.
Bearing on AC seems OK, it doesn't change "squeakitude" with AC on or off, the squeak doesn't change when you bind the steering, the alternator has too small of a pulley to squeak, and when you put water on the belt the squeaking would immediately stop.
If it starts squeaking again after the tensioner change (it did feel like it had more resistance than the aftermarket one) I am going to replace the fan clutch, maybe it locks up putting too much drag on the WP pulley.
I have diagnosed 100's of car problems and this puny squeak is kicking my butt!
AND last night I heard the all familiar squeak return. Next step: Fan pulley and fan off a 4.0 I know doesn't squeak.
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00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! Jalapeño
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
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