Ok. I give.. Belt squeal

[paper1122]

So I did the belts today. I am not sure what the big deal is about getting at the alternator bolt. Jack the car, crawl under, loosen bolt. I just installed new gates belts today and so far so good, the real test will be under a cold start.

 

[Jordysoso]

I have squeal with my new gator backs. Brand new alternator, all this s*** it literally a week old. Do I have to adjust the alternator or is there a tensioner? Not sure bc I'm dumb with what I can't see lol

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

You do have to adjust the alternator. See the shop manual and it explains exactly how to do it.

 

[Jordysoso]

Ok I'll check it. Thanks man!

 

[Mopar92]

I cleaned the pulleys really good with carb cleaner and clean rags.I made sure they were spotless. Put on the Gates Green backs. Squeal, then I tightened a little. Squeal, tightened more, chirp, tightened, then quiet... They arent super tight, but they are tighter than I would have run them. I asked a buddy who works for MazdaSpeed and he said its a design flaw and that it should have been a wider belt. He said that you need to run the Alternator belt "scarey tight" and thats why we see so many short life alternators... makes sense, that poor non greasable alternator bearing has a ton of load, and is quite small.

 

[paper1122]

When I replaced my belts this weekend I tightened them to factory spec and then gave it a few turns more. Seems to have taken care of my belt noise.

 

[Mopar92]

Gates greens and tightening the belt, cold and rainy here.... No squeal yet...

 

[JustinMetallicA]

Im having the same trouble. I posted a thread a few weeks ago.
So the bottom bolt can be loosened with a 10mm socket ? This would save be a big head ache if
I didnt have to "fish around" trying to find the right size since I am only going by feeling and not
an experienced mechanic.

 

[Mopar92]

With my bottom bolt properly torqued, I could still slack the tension bolt and jerk the alternator to get the new belt on... After I got the new belt, it was still tight.. Least tight enough according to the torque wrench!!

 

[paper1122]

Im having the same trouble. I posted a thread a few weeks ago.
So the bottom bolt can be loosened with a 10mm socket ? This would save be a big head ache if
I didnt have to "fish around" trying to find the right size since I am only going by feeling and not
an experienced mechanic.

Why do you have to fish around? Engage parking brake, jack the front passenger side of the vehicle, slide under, access bolt. I took my time and even installed the A/C belt twice and I was still struggling to get an hour out of the job.

 

[turdb0]

Mine squeals almost always when car is cold whenever I turn air on. After car warms up the squealing is intermittent.

 

[Mopar92]

Mine just did 600 miles yesterday, still no squeal. I don't like running belts this tight( it's not super tight) but it stopped the scream.

 

[Erbal]

My belts have been squealing for probably over a year now when I turn the AC or headlights on. As a student I haven't had the time to take care of them. I am at 113,000 miles, and just bought a new car, so I really just need a short term fix so the squealing stops. Should tightening the belts fix my problem for now? I will be telling whoever buys the car off of me that they need replaced soon, I just don't want to put any more money than I have to into it, and I am sure the squealing belts will turn away many potential buyers.

Also, since around the time my belt squealing, my AC stopped getting/staying cold despite recharging the AC condenser. Would these be connected events by any chance?

 

[tweety2300]

New belts are like $25 put them on tighten them down sell the car. Your ac isn't working because the belt is slipping and not turning the pulley

 

[hotcracker69]

goodyear gatorback are the best if you have to buy belt. i have tried many brands and so far gatorback has been the best.