Having a belt alignment issue that I can not figure out.


I replaced my PS pump about a month ago and have been chasing a persistant belt chirp when cold. It goes away once the motor warms up but only if I run it to 3000 RPM or so.

The belt is slightly out of alignment on the AC compressor side of the water pump pulley. I think it is chirping because my factory water pump pulley is slightly "raised" along the back edge because of the wear patterns of the old belt over time.

My PS Pulley is pressed on as far as it will go - the installer tool bottomed out on the front shank of the pump, it is 100% flush, and I matched it with the old pump just to be sure. Water pump was replaced a year ago and seems to function normally, no play from the bearing. None of the other bearings seem bad either (alternator, power steering, ac compressor, etc).

So either it needs to be pressed on further (I can go 2-3mm before it starts rubbing on the PS Pump housing), or the AC Compressor pulley needs to be further forward??


Made this graphic;




And here is what it looks like. You can see how it is riding really close to the rear edge of the pulley - where there is this rusty lip from years of wear (260k miles to be exact)





The other side of the pulley is right in the middle of the wear marks (meaning, it is sitting perfectly).
My harmonic balancer looks fine, no major wobbles - but I am going to replace it anyways. After that, it's probably going to a local Jeep shop because I am at the end of my diagnosing abilities here

 

I'm thinking the idler puller has a weird wear pattern on it and is pushing the belt back.

 

Check the crank pulley/balancer. Mine walked BACK and really caused headaches like this.

 

Well,
My power steering pump exploded over the weekend (dumped $30 of AMSOIL fluid, grr). I replaced it with another pump and the belt is now riding where it should. Maybe the bearing on the old PS pump was not fully seated or something?

Unfortunately the new pump has no pressure at idle which is awesome.
​​​​​​
Been dealing with this power steering issue for months now!

 

Did you follow the factory power steering pump procedure? It ensures all the air is removed from the system.

 

Yeah, I did about 10 turns lock to lock with the wheels in the air, then bumped the key a few times to cycle/prime the pump, topped fluid and started it up. Bled it for a while, steering gear was brand new at the same time.

I put a new pump in, but the fluid looks like glitter after flushing it with 2 quarts, and that is WITH a magnafine trans filter on the low pressure side.

The belt chirp that started when I installed the pump ended when said pump exploded. I forgot to take pics, but the front bearing exploded and the impeller Shaft and snap ring blew out the front of the pump housing.

​​​​