I intalled my new power steering belt today (YAY FOR ME FIRST TIME) and I wasn't sure how tight to make it. Now i went to drive it adn it squeals when i don't turn it all the way, sometimes when i turn it half way and sometimes when i barely turn it. It also squeals sometimes just driving straight if the AC is on.

Do you think the belt is too tight or too loose?

I'm not sure how to judge what the proper tension is.

gzee,,,I have the same problems, someone help us out.

Ken

5zigen rearsection/Cherrybomb glasspack resonator/Bosal header/injen short ram intake/bored TB/AFX UDP/Fidanza cam gears/Power Stop cross drill rotors(front)/shunk2 coilover/Koni adjustable (front)/KYB struts(rear)Konig V-racing front bar/rear upper bar/painted black Enkei RSF2 17" with Kumho/ Nakayamaprojectors /WW 3 pieces wing/interior mods

I had that problem after installing my UDP and figured out that yes my belt was on too loose. I ended up tightening everything down and using some belt dressing on it and its been fine ever since...2 weeks now.

In chiltons it says how tight to make it and if you are concerned with over tightening then you can get a tension tool from your local auto parts store. Its kida like a fish scale. You hook it on the belt and pull to a specified weight and see how much the belt moves. It was supposed to move something like .3-.5 inches when 22lbs of pressure was applied. You will want to check those numbers because that is just from memory a couple of weeks ago.

Chad

I keep my ac/pwr steering belt a bit tighter than the alternator. If I give a firm pull on the ac belt from under the car, it moves maybe .5 inches. It should feel tight. My alternator belt moves .7 inches when pulled. I also have a AFX pulley and they need to be tight to stop slipping.

I found that gates belts work pretty good and without any squeal. My bando belts sucked for squealing and only lasted 30K miles before coming apart.

Its simple people if it squeals make it tighter when it stops squealing then it is tight enough. After a little driving on a new belt it will stretch a little and start to squeal again just tighten slightly and you should be good. Just be sure you are tightening the squealing belt and not the other quiet one. belt dressing only works for about 2 minutes don't waste your time. If your tire wobbles tighten the lugs if the lugs break than you have them too tight. (sorry I couldn't resist)

98 RS/Evo exhaust/gutted cat/p&p int. mani/bypassed egr/57mm TB/custom CAI/ngk plugs/AFX udp/fu,ru Stb/Magnacore 8.5 wires

Grab a piece of long wood, and use it to feel how tight the belts are. If they feel loose (~1/2" leeway), then tighten the belts. Hope this helps.