Ok guys I changed my power steering pump this weekend and now the belt is squealing... BUT I dont know if its the belt or a pulley. I changed the idler pulley today and it wasnt that so upgraded that but it sounds like its the water pump pulley... Can the water pump pulley be making all that dang noise? PLEASE HELP cause its fricken embarrassing.

 

Get any PS fluid on the belt? New belt or re-used?
Try cleaning everything off with brake cleaner and making sure the belt is tight enough.

 

its a new belt and I will try brake cleaner tomorrow but what if that doesnt work is it possible that it could be the water pump pulley?

 

Sure, could be a pulley. You can try removing the belt and giving each a spin by hand. If any make noise or feel rough they could be the culprit.
That belt does need to be tighter than most folks are comfortable setting them else they squeal.

 

ok then will do that gives me an avenue to take thanks will let ya know how it goes. thanks.

It was sooooo loud and very embarrassing. proud of my Jeep and then to have that happen sucked big time.

 

tight is the key then and clean

 

The belts on our XJ's have to be stupidly tight.

 

Is it this bad?

 

NOOOOOOO.... YES thats it what does this mean?

 

I don't know, but that's my screech.
When you said "embarrassing" I knew it had to be my screech, or something close.

Mine seems tied to the A/C compressor... I think the clutch's half-engaged, because it's worse when the A/C is off than when it's on, but it happens when the A/C's both on and off -- it also seems to be coming from the A/C compressor, so yeah.
I'm replacing the clutch as soon as it comes in... I'll let you know how that goes.

It doesn't seem to be my belt, either. My belt's really tight, and doesn't look chafed or anything.

 

Well Imma start with the basics tomorrow and then imma start replacing everything that I think it is cause the Jeep is not going to be drivin like that.

What all have you tried.. Are you sure that that is the issue cause for me the noise is so damn loud its hard to tell exactly what it is?

 

Yours might be from something else, I don't know... But I'd suggest fiddling with the A/C and seeing if that has much effect on it.

And I won't drive mine right now... Seems it might be a bearing problem with the compressor, and if so, I'd rather not have them seize and throw a belt... Would not be fun.

 

well I will keep everyone posted on the progress. TO BE CONTINUED

 

Here's what you need. Get under your hood with one of these and away from your keyboard and monitor. No offense intended.

 

Just pull the serpentine belt out of the jeep and start it up.

Squealing gone? It's one of the pulleys or the belt.