Squeeling belt or bearing noise on 3.0, any ideas?

[drtjnky]

My brother has a 1999 ranger with a 3.0, he keeps getting a squeeling noise from the pulley system. He put on a new belt and replaced the idler but it is still doing it. But if you spray the idler bearing it goes away, mind you this is a new part. Any ideas. He thinks it might be the power steering pulley. Thanks for the helps.

 

[hondaxr650]

Did he replace the idler or the tensioner? 9 times out of 10 when I get a 3.0 in with a belt squeal, the tensioner is worn and out of alignment.

 

[McCormack]

The 3.0 belt tensioner is poorly designed and pulls out of alignment easily, so putting new one on does not guaranty that it'll be in alignment - put a straight edge on the new tensioner after installing it to make sure that it's in alignment.

 

[FloridaRangerGuy]

Goodyear Gatorback belt is the only thing that stopped the squeal for me.

 

[McCormack]

The Gatorback is just a band aid that masks the true problem, which is a misaligned tensioner.

 

[grlnbear04]

Totally agree with McCormack. I changed belts and the tensioner and the squealing was still there. Once I checked the alignment of the tensioner and saw it wasn't in alignment, I took McCormacks advise and I put a washer on the locator pin on the back of the tensioner to align it and have been squeal free ever since.

 

[McCormack]

Well alright grlnbear, after the tensioner shim mod has been discounted by so many here on the site, it's good to see someone actually shim their tensioner to see if it helps the belt squeal problem, and it sounds like you've found success. Good on ya mate.

 

[grlnbear04]

Yes McCormack, it worked perfectly.

Now if you could tell me how to fix my washer pump problem that would be even better. lol....

 

[grlnbear04]

Windshield washer pump that is.

 

[McCormack]

Have you tried turning up your radio? :>)