I have 98 Ram 1500 5.2 litre with AC and changed the belt tensioner and belt over the weekend. Now the belt squeaks (slips) when I press on the accelerator I used a duralast belt from the local autoshop. The tensioner was bad according to the mechanic and the belt had not been changed in over 30,000 miles. what can I do to get rid of the squeak?

 

Use a belt dressing spray. The only one that worked for me was one made by Pyroil. The other one's made it tick even more.

 

i had a 98 5.9 and that thing squealed like crazy so bad i didnt even want to drive it so i replaced the a couple pullys didnt work so i roughed up the pullys with some sand paper and stop squeaking hope this helps
DO NOT USE BELT DRESSING MAKES IT WORSE

 

If it's squealing, you could have some bearings that are starting to go bad and seize up. Check all of the pulleys to make sure they turn?

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Checked the other pulleys and seem to be good. The belt squeaks when I ramp up the rpm's so I think that the belt is slipping. It is nice and quiet at idle. I may put the old belt back on and see if the squeak go's away.

 

Having the same issue...noisy belt. Replaced all pulleys except for power steering, ac, and alternator...still squealing.

It was recommended I get the proper torque on all the pulleys, especially the vibration dampener.

Have not tried it yet...hope to get to it this weekend.

 

Same issue, mine had a bad bearing in the idler and a bad tensioner spring, replaced the tensioner and the bearing. Belt was noisy so I put on a new one, great for a month. Then a little noise, then a little more noise... Finally, tried WD40 which has worked in the past, temporary, a day or so, squeaking again. I know most belt dressing will make serpentine belts worse, so I tried cleaning everything and used emory cloth on the backside pulleys. Changed the noise and it even goes away sometimes but comes right back. I know when I put the bearing in the idler I didn't get the pulley in the exact same location so I sanded away all the rough edges but still might be my issue.

 

Going to replace the idler pulley this weekend, also noticed that after the tensioner was installed and belt put on I could move the tensioner about 1/4 inch to tighten the belt, but when the truck starts it moves back loosening the belt. Going to try the old tensioner to see if it does the same thing or not. Thanks for all the help.

 

i found....dont know if its the same for a 5.2L....but behind the crank pulley/harmonic balancer....i have a swelled rubber grommet in back of it....and my harmonic is a bit wobbly, and it touches the rubber from time to time, giving me the squeek

 

I got a bad tensioner from the shop, replaced it and the squeek was better so I put on the old belt and it went away so went to dodge and paid the man for a mopar belt, problem solved. thanks for all the help.