Do they offer the steering gear for trucks?

 

Had another issue come up. All of the sudden I was getting a squealing noise from the front area of the engine...okay, so now what! I changed the AC compressor less than 2-years ago, I just installed a new power steering pump, the water pump is only a few years old, I replaced the idler pulley last summer, I just installed a new belt with the engine swap, so that leaves either the tensioner or the alternator. Two summers ago, I rebuilt the alternator, but one of the bearings in the kit was the wrong size, so I left the old one in there and figured that might be the issue. A new tensioner was only $25 or so, leaving me with the thought of just replacing both. I've also wanted to upgrade to a 136A alternator, so I did. I replaced both the alternator and tensioner, started the engine and the squeal was gone.

This past Thursday I had to take an early drive (6 am), I no sooner get a half mile down the road and the squealing starts again. I can't stop at this point, I have to get where I'm going by 7am, so I continued the entire 45-mile drive with the squeal happening the whole way. Then again on the way back, same thing. Friday, I tore into it to find the source of the squeal. I took the belt off, started the engine, and no squeal. Okay, so it has to be something being driven by the belt. I tested each belt driven component; each turned smooth and without any noise of roughness to them. I noticed the new belt had micro cracks on the smooth side, so as a final thought, I said to myself, "try the old belt." I installed the old belt and no squealing. I took if for a drive on side roads and the highway, still no squealing. The whole squealing issue was caused by the new belt, I don't know why, it wasn't slipping, and the squeal didn't change pitch as I turned the AC on or off or added to the electrical load. I ordered a new belt, same brand as my old one, it'll be here this week. I always seem to get the crazy problems to solve, Go figure.

 

I have found that some of the manufacturers aren't real accurate on their belt lengths...... and if they are a bit too long, the tensioner can't apply proper tension, and you get a squeal.

We havin' fun yet?

At least you figgered it out.

 

Oh yeah, I went down that same thought path. The wear indicator on the tensioner was right where it should be, at the midway point, so I know the belt length was okay. My only conclusion is that it had something to do with the material used to make the belt.

 

yea me too!!! that is a PITA

 

yep that has happened to me too...it was the new belt...