I took it to PepBoys and they said I had all new belts, but I hadn't tightened the alternator belt enough. Believe me, I had it TIGHT and within specs (1/8" deflection)... they tightened it and charged me a total of - get this - $16 !! :+) so the one here in Douglasville, Georgia is honest, professional, and fast... as I said, more to come on this truck, but gotta go to work! thanks group!
F-100 screeching fanbelt: SOLVED
Nov 21, 2005
Last reply: 20 years ago
3 Replies
If you had the belt tight and it was still screeching, I bet the problem was not belt tension. You probably have some worn pulleys or the wrong belts, probably worn pulleys. You can accommodate this by purchasing belts with a slightly greater angle of V so they don't slip in those old glazed pulleys. Any NAPA store can tell you the angle of the original and spec a different replacement. Just over tightening the belt to quiet it will result in wear on the components being turned. PepBoys did not do you a favor and they charged you for the privilege. They will be happy to sell you a new water pump, alternator, etc. when the time comes soon.
1/8" deflection? Holy crap that's tight! I'd be worried about crunching an idler or alternator bearing.. Had a shop do something similar on an old Firebird I owned. They tightened the A/C belt so much they destroyed the bearings in the compressor.
I think I'd hit the pullies with some 200 grit wet/dry paper and rough 'em up a bit to break the glaze on 'em and get the belt adjusted properly. I've always done 3/4" to 1" deflection and never had a slipping (at least not an audible one) belt problem.
Just thanks for the input - I'll check them tomorrow. That might be their answer to every noisy belt; just "get 'er dun"..
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