V-Belt Squeal
PLR
Jeeper
Guys, every modern v-belt I have tried squeals like a tortured cat at the crank pulley. They don't seem to fit the wide original crank pulley. What up?
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V-Belt Squeal
- Thread starter PLR
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Torxhead
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
It is an interesting issue, but it does sound like you need to change something. A call to the belt manufacturer should supply you will some needed information. Does changing the pulleys seem feasible? There is always changing over to a serpentine belt system which would be a great project. Welcome to the forum, I am sure there are a lot of older CJs with the same issue.
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And you are tensioning them correctly?
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:ww:
What's the brand name of the belt?
Are the all the pulleys in alignment?
LG
What's the brand name of the belt?
Are the all the pulleys in alignment?
LG
Hedgehog
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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Are you sure you are using the correct belt number? Belts come in various widths, lengths and "V" angles. Given that there are usually several different belt lengths that will fit the one you are using might just slightly fall out of the spec. range you need. It is possible but rare to have a worn out pulley. If all else fails find a CJ with the same engine and measure the width of the pulley on that engine.
And with us not really knowing your skill level ... new vehicles come with self adjusting belt tensioners ... You might be having trouble adjusting the belt properly. I once had a vehicle with a spot warn in the adjustment bracket that felt for all the world like all the adjustment room was used up. Once past that spot there was plenty of adjustment left.
Then there is the less fun or easy possibility. One of your components running on the belt might be freezing up beginning to over power the ability of your belt to drive it. Pull yout belt and hand turn your components like the power steering pump, the water pump, the alternator possibly the AC pump.
And with us not really knowing your skill level ... new vehicles come with self adjusting belt tensioners ... You might be having trouble adjusting the belt properly. I once had a vehicle with a spot warn in the adjustment bracket that felt for all the world like all the adjustment room was used up. Once past that spot there was plenty of adjustment left.
Then there is the less fun or easy possibility. One of your components running on the belt might be freezing up beginning to over power the ability of your belt to drive it. Pull yout belt and hand turn your components like the power steering pump, the water pump, the alternator possibly the AC pump.
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LG keeps beating me to these...
Check to make sure you have enough tension on each belt. If not, you'll have to adjust your alternator or power steering pump.
Also, take a look and make sure your pulleys are lined up correctly. I had a belt squeal shortly after I bought my CJ5 a little over a year ago, and threw the alternator belt because the pulleys weren't aligned. Looked like the PO tired to create his own spacer for the alternator bracket on the AMC 304 that he put in it, and it wasn't long enough. Wear pattern on the belt showed exactly that. Pulleys were misaligned by about a quarter inch.
If it's a problem, you'll probably want to take the belts off and look at wear pattern. If you don't know what to look for, you can use the power of Google, or take them in to your favorite mechanic and they'll be able to tell you the problem.
Serpentine conversion is also an option, but way more pricey than making needed adjustments. If your pulleys are misaligned, you'll have problems with a serpentine system as well, so regardless of what you do, you'll need to resolve that before you do anything to it.
Check to make sure you have enough tension on each belt. If not, you'll have to adjust your alternator or power steering pump.
Also, take a look and make sure your pulleys are lined up correctly. I had a belt squeal shortly after I bought my CJ5 a little over a year ago, and threw the alternator belt because the pulleys weren't aligned. Looked like the PO tired to create his own spacer for the alternator bracket on the AMC 304 that he put in it, and it wasn't long enough. Wear pattern on the belt showed exactly that. Pulleys were misaligned by about a quarter inch.
If it's a problem, you'll probably want to take the belts off and look at wear pattern. If you don't know what to look for, you can use the power of Google, or take them in to your favorite mechanic and they'll be able to tell you the problem.
Serpentine conversion is also an option, but way more pricey than making needed adjustments. If your pulleys are misaligned, you'll have problems with a serpentine system as well, so regardless of what you do, you'll need to resolve that before you do anything to it.
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Pulleys don't last forever. I got rid of a persistent squeal by purchasing a new pulley.
As an afterthought I wonder if the dimpling or roughing up a pulley would give it a little more life? Could lessen belt life however...
As an afterthought I wonder if the dimpling or roughing up a pulley would give it a little more life? Could lessen belt life however...
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BIG4D
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3 in BDS suspension lift.
Stock 4.2 I6
Trans: T4, 4 spd
Xfer: Dana 300
Front Dif: Stock Dana (I believe)
Rear Dif: Stock AMC
Sanding and roughing up the pulley will do nothing. In the time it takes to go to the store and back, it will have polished the pulley again.
Sounds like an alignment issue.
Be sure and check your water pump. Pull the belt and try to rock the shaft back and forth. If you feel anything more the the smallest about of play, the pump is gone, replace it, even if it’s not leaking.
I have seen many worn water pumps cause squealing belts and were not leaking.
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Sounds like an alignment issue.
Be sure and check your water pump. Pull the belt and try to rock the shaft back and forth. If you feel anything more the the smallest about of play, the pump is gone, replace it, even if it’s not leaking.
I have seen many worn water pumps cause squealing belts and were not leaking.
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