i did a search and came up with a lot of conflicting information on how people stopped the squeak from the drive belt. some said the gatorback belt stopped it, some said it made it worse. install university says the idler pulley causes it, and says to change out the idler pulley. so is there any consensus on how to stop this once and for all? don't want to buy an idler pulley if it's not necessary... i already bought a new belt, but haven't installed it yet. it's a Gates brand belt, only kind my local store stocked. i wanted to wait to see if i should install a new idler pulley before i install the belt.

thanks.

btw, for what it's worth, the squeak does sound like it's coming from the general area of the idler pulley...

 

It could'nt hurt to put the new belt on now.To see if it is just the belt. With mine it was the idler pulley, the lower one used with the AC belt.
I went ahead and changed the pulley on the tensioner and the idler pulley.They were $14 each.No problems since.
T.

 

thanks for the advice. where'd you get the pullies?

 

My belts were squeaking when the water pump broke causing coolant to drop onto the belts.

Didn't squeak anymore after the belts were changed (and fixed the water pump obviously).

 

take some fine grain sand paper and start the car ... go right off the power steering pully and lightly rub the sandpaper against the belt.... after the squeel is gone.... apply some belt dressing ....

 

thanks guys. i just changed the belt, and the squeaking is gone! i'll see how long it lasts...

 

I changed the pulley,noise went away for only 3-4 months then came back,next I changed to a Gatorback,both belts,noise gone now for over 1 1/2 yrs