I have an 2001 Cherokee sport and the belt squeals very loud only when I first start my AC and accellerate. After a minute or so it goes away and doesnt come back unless the engine is cool. Is the pully bearings bad? The serpentine belt on the engine is new. Any sugestions?

 

I tightened the belt some, and it went away. I also had steering noise, and it went away too.

 

Mine had the same problem. Then the A/C broke. Good luck.

 

Simple, loosen the belt and manually spin everything (alternator, water pump, idler pulley, and compressor) Everything should spin freely for the exception of the compressos. The inner pulley on the compressor should spin freely, but not the outer part or clutch. If everything is good, tighten the belt, it may take a couple of times to get it to stop squealing. Tighten it where you think its right and try it, keep cranking on it until it no longer squeals....You'll be surprised how much you have to crank on the idler pulley to get it right. If you don't know how to adjust the pulley...first loosen the bolt in front and in the middle of the pulley...just loosen it so that you can turn the adjusting bolt which you can see if you look down in the engine bay next to the pulley. After you make your adjustment, make sure you tighten the center bolt again.

 

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I have a new project for this weekend!!!

 

I would purchase a can of belt dressing and with the engine running and AC on (squealing) spray a lil on the pulley and if the squeal clears out then replace that pulley.

You don't want to tighten it up to much or you will get premature wear on your other bearings and pulley.

 

My 2001 Jeep Cherokee's tires started making a very faint "vippin" sond (almost like if you were chewing on a rubber balloon). I'm just wondering if this could eventually end up being exspensive and can be taken care of now, ie, alignment? It doesn't seem like it is really doing anything, but you never know..
oops guess I posted this in the wrong place.

 

Get your wheels Balanced and Rotated. Make sure you are lubing everything good. TRE, Ball joints.

If you still have the sound then get an alignment.