in the past week or so i've been noticing a sqeaky belt under the hood and didn't think to much of it cause usally after about 2-3 minutes it would quit but now it does it all the time. it's loudest when i first start up the car and get's louder as i go faster. anyway it seems to be coming from the power steering belt but it could be the altenator belt since there so close together. but my question is should i replace the belt or does the pulley need to be replaced or just some kind of lubricant put on it? thanks guys.

the belt prob needs to be tightened or replaced. Heres a trick to find which belt is doing it. Start your car for about 5-7 seconds (make sure car is cool before doing this). Then turn your car off. Then go and touch each of the pulleys. The one that is warm is the one with the loose belt.

Evan B
97 GS
90 GSX
Stamford CT
EvMan2345@aol.com

Just spray some WD-40 on them. No more squeaks. :+

It is most likely the alternator belt. Take the power steering and alt belt off, inspect them for wear, and install them again. Make them as tight as possible and the squeak should stop.

Also, if it's just squeaky at idle, it's most likely alternator. If it's when you turn the wheel, it's PS belt. But like Jeff said, just pull em both, inspect them and replace them very tight. problem solved.

Originally posted by HybriDSM
Also, if it's just squeaky at idle, it's most likely alternator. If it's when you turn the wheel, it's PS belt.

^^^ Good point. :thumbsup

thanks for the help guys! :thumbsup but should i tighten them to the specifications that the haynes or chiltons manual says or just as tight as i can get them?

The power steering belt only gets as tight as the amount of down force you put on the power steering pump. Make that as tight as possible, meaning have a really heavy friend lean on it with a pipe or crow bar while you tighten the bolts.

The alternator belt should be tight enough that there is no play. That is a screw type tensioner which is pretty easy to get to if you can remove the A/C fan.