96 jeep Cherokee sport

I can't find out what bolts to loosen, I've searched for 2 days, and every guide I read just said 3 bolts on the ps pump, and the adjusting bolt, but idk which those are.

Some guy at autozone told me my model jeep had a bolt on the idler pulley and that I need to loosen it then tighten the adjustment bolt and that was it.


Any help? Maybe a picture of a similar model?

 

Guy at Autozone is right (at least for a '98 he is).....1st, just loosen the bolt in the middle of the idler pulley (yellow circle), 2nd, turn the adjusting bolt (red circle) in/out to loosen/tighten the belt. 3rd, re-tighten the bolt in the center of the idler pulley. It make take several small adjustments to get the belt just tight enough that it won't squeal when a/c is used.

 

Thank you so much, those were what i was thinking.

now the problem of getting to the bolt on the pully, the biggest thing I have that will fit in there is a tad bit too small

 

Okay so I managed to fit a socket onto the bolt on the idler pully, but now I can't seem to get the bolt to move, cut myself bad a couple times trying there's like no room

I tried a crescent but it just strips it, and the biggest wrench I have is 1 size too small

What now?

 

Use extensions.

 

Take out your electric fan. Saves a lot of hassle. It's just a couple of small bolts on top, unplug it and lift it up. Bottom are clips that don't need unbolting.

 

Gonna give that a try in a bit.

Also over the course of the past week my jeep and been taking longer and longer to start, now around 3-4 seconds, should I be concerned?

 

I tightened the belt and it only made my problem worse, squels even louder, but only when I turn.

I bought a new belt since I'm pretty sure that one is soaked in ps fluid causing the squel

 

I replaced the belt, same exact problem, squelling when turning, I've checked ps hoses etc, no air seems to be getting in

 

Are you sure you got all of your pulleys clean and sufficient tension on the belt? I would scrub the pulleys with alcohol and the belt should have about 1/2" deflection when pressed in the middle of the longest gap.

Also, check your PS fluid level. Lower levels cause the pump to work harder which places more drag on the pulley, causing squeal.

 

I made another thread.

And I stupidly didn't clean the pulleys, just put the new belt on, probably ruining it already, but it still squelled even right when it was first turned on after putting the Belt on.

 

I used a ratcheting box wrench to reach that idler pulley, 15mm I think it was, just have to loosen it a bit. Like previously posted if you need more room there are two small bolts at the top of the fan and just two clips at the bottom.

I had the same issue, I used the old belt with some degreaser I had in the garage and ran it for a few seconds, pulled it off and cleaned the pulleys really well.

I also suggest the Michelin gatorbac belt, they hold much better and rarely slip. Also, the cherokee for some reason needs higher belt tension than I'm used to so don't be afraid to tighten it more.

 

I just went through a squealing belt problem. My belt looked pretty much new, and I had cleaned all pulleys with brake cleaner, roughed the surface of the smooth pulleys with a wire brush, and washed the belt in soap and water. Nothing worked.

I followed the advice of some here, and bought a new Goodyear Gatorback belt. Problem solved!