My van used to eat belts. What I found is the power steering pulley was pushed to far on the shaft. I don't know how that happened, maybe some previous repair before I bought it, maybe I did it somehow. I pulled it back up about 30000 miles ago and it hasn't moved on it's own. Before I couldn't get a belt to last 10000 miles!

 

thanks for the tip. I will check that out.
Funny thing is I did have the PS pump changed about 2 years ago and it whines every 4 days or so...maybe

 

Certain manufacturers make a version of the belt tensioner that rattles from new right out of the box. I think maybe the spring is not engineered properly (read: CHEAP) and this is the end result. Have not owned my van for a few years now, but I think the last tensioner I bought from NAPA Auto Parts was a quality unit that did not rattle. Paid more for it but it was worth it.