I have a new (to me) 96 Cherokee which I'm trying to scare all the mechanical bugs off of. Rear diff bearings in progress, ps pump ready to install but need to address this nasty noise I get first. Sounds allot like an old fashioned power steering belt slipping but worse. It happens when I hit the accelerator pedal, but ONLY happens when the AC is on, it's way worse if I crank the steering over to a lock position but still it won't do it even with the steering locked if the AC is off, won't happen at all. Belt, have no idea when it was last changed but the top side is VERY shiny, suspiciously shiny in fact, but no cracks. Maybe I just need a new belt? Thank ya kindly for any opinions of the savvy sort, this is my first Cherokee in fact haven't had an American made car since... a 59 Cadillac Sedan Deville I had in about 1990

 

Make sure the idler and all pulleys spin free, then tension adjustment a new belt gets between 180-200lbs and 140-160lbs for used.

 

thanks, reading up on how to tension the belt proper. Would be nice if it was just loose.

 

shrieking noises.... sounds horrid.. usually this issue is found in the front passenger seat, and installing a new girlfriend fixes the problem.

=)
Squelchtone

 

HAR DE HAR!.......

 

Ha, ain't that the truth!