My accessory belt is squealling and squeeking constantly and it gets really annoying, it sounds like a old car that is dieing. How do I tighten it, I did it a while ago and it worked but now its back and even worse. Thanks guys
#82453, "RE: How do I tighten my Accessory Belt" In response to Reply # 1
search, ive written it up at least 10 times, lol. ive got a pic i might upload later with some arrows pointing to the bolts and such... ill work on it tonight.
#82471, "RE: How do I tighten my Accessory Belt" In response to Reply # 3 Nov-04-04 02:16 PM by ner947
A little belt dressing can help stop belts from squeaking. Loading up the belts with dressing will make them fall off.
If the alternator belt is loose, tightening it is easy. There's a large nut on top of the alternator, I think it's a 15mm. Use a box end and loosen it until you can turn it with your finger. On the bottom of the alternator, there's another larger nut (17mm I think) that you have to loosen the same amount. Then there's a 13mm bolt on the back of the top alternator bracket that adjusts the tension of the belt by adjusting the angle of the alternator. Tighten this until you can turn the middle of the belt 90 degrees with 2 fingers - no more, no less. I find this is a good tension.
To tighten the power steering belt, you need to loosen the 3 power steering bolts (14mm) and stick a prybar or something between the power steering pump and it's mounting bracket. Pull back a bit and then tighten it up. You have to make sure the pulley is turned to the right angle so you can fit a socket through it and tighten the bolts after you are done.
There. If anyone else ever asks this question, I will ban them, because this is a perfect desctiption of exactly how to do it without having a Chiltons which everyone should have in the first place.
#82480, "RE: How do I tighten my Accessory Belt" In response to Reply # 5
go to your local parts store. find the 'can-o, bottle-o' stuff rack. find the group of cans that will say something like belt dressing on it. i have STP Belt Dressing, blue can, red cap. worked like a charm.