bighouts5591

Ever since replacing my power steering pump my serp belt will NOT stop squealing. I've since replaced the belt and the Idler pulley in hopes of fixing it, and the belt is tight enough. What could be causing this? Misalignment of the new PSP maybe? And if so, how do you fix it?

bighouts5591

bump? Please?

hypersthenos

Are you sure the belt is tight enough? As Cherokees have no active, spring-loaded tensioner they reuire a fair amount of static tension. I spent a few years with my previous Cherokee dealing with squealing belts. I finally purchased a proper belt tension guage and set the belt tension to spec (140 lbs for a used belt) and the problem was gone. I was surprised at how much tension was required to get to spec. Go to your local NAPA and ask for a "cricket" belt tensioning guage. Cost is less than $20. It's a very simple device with good instructions included. The guage is actually made by Gates. Do a Google search & you'll find a video by Gates on how to use it. Hope that helps!

bighouts5591

Yeah, I actually ended up having the belt tightened at a shop because it was really cold here the other morning. They told me the idler pulley was bad and I replaced it, but no luck

xjsnake

Honestly a lot of shops have no idea how tight these belts have to be. I've seen a good many certified mechanics using the thumb test for belt tension.

hypersthenos

I'm with XJSNAKE on this one. I have a number of friends who have been auto mechanics for years. I tell them I've bought a belt tensioning guage and they look at me like I've just tried the latest recreational drug. You really need to check it yourself. It's a little bit of a pain getting all the bolts loose on the power steering mount but not rocket science.

RTorrez1

Everyone above are correct. I have a bad squeal coming from my belt too. I thought it was tight enough because there was very like flex in the belt. But once I tightened it even more it finally went a way. You would never believe how tight it really has to be. Like they said get the gauge, It's well worth the money.

bighouts5591

Well, when I look at it the power steering pump kind of looks like it could be a little crooked, anyone know how I would remedy that?

xjsnake

Take a straight edge and verify that it's actually crooked.

I smashed up the front of my 93 and bent the PS pump mount which resulted in the pulley wobbling while running and it ran quietly and surprisingly well for a couple of months till I got around to fixing it.

bighouts5591

It's a brand new pump, so if it is crooked that should be covered in the warranty right?

bighouts5591

I used the old pulley on my new PSP, do you think maybe that could be the issue? Just thought of that today

xjsnake

Yeah if it has to be pressed onto the pulley shaft the yeah that's a possibility.