DupermanDave

I have a belt that squeaks just a little bit. It's not loud, but it's annoying when i'm idling.

Does a squeaky belt need to be tightened or loosened? Or does it vary depending on the belt that's squeaking? I believe it's the power steering belt.

Shawsheen

mine were loose and needed to be tightened. and that's been the case on many a vehicle.

DupermanDave

I know how to tighten the power steering belt, but what about the others? How do you increase tension on those?

Shawsheen

IIRC there is a bolt that holds the alternator in place. loosen it, pry the alternator tight with a ratchet extension or something similar. Be careful not to break anything on the alternator or anything else with the 'prying'. It's helpful to have a friend hold the extension and alternator tight while you tighten the bolt.

the other tension bolt is right behind the radiator.

DupermanDave

I see. From the pictures, it looks like tightening the alternator is just like adjusting the distributor? There's a single bolt and you just rotate the alternator by loosening that bolt and tighten it when you get it good and tight. Is this correct?

874runnersr5

Yup, i need to od mine again. Mine makes a little chirp when starting up.
For mine, i have to get a box end wrench and a ratchet on the other side and loosen with the ratchet and pull with the wrench.

Shawsheen

I can't really say because I've thankfully not had to mess with the dizzy.
but it sounds similar.

most manuals give you a spec, I think you want like a quarter inch of play in the belt, or something like that. I just tighten it but don't over tighten it, cause that is bad too. you kinda of get a feel for it after a while.

the other post was correct, not that I think back I used a wrench too, I could not fit the socket in there.

DupermanDave

My belts are plenty tight if that's the case. I may loosen them then. Or just buy new belts.

FastLane1000

I'm going to introduce myself in another thread when it dries up and I can take some pics of my truck. However, I just got done replacing all the belts on mine and I found the easiest way to get the alternator belt tight was from below. i pulled off the skid plate and from under the truck I could fit a pry bar in between the alternator and block and pry it out with one hand while putting a closed in wrench on the upper bolt. From abover the power steering hoses and stuff were in the way.

fastlane
'88 pickup 22re 4x4 52K miles.

DupermanDave

Grrr. I'm tired of the skit plate. I'm constantly removing it to do the simplest things on this truck. Sometimes that's the most difficult part of a job (like changing the oil)

874runnersr5

haha, whats wrong with your skid plate??

Tubbyfatty

At least you have one....

DupermanDave

It's there, that's what's wrong with it, lol.

Nah, the skid plate looks cool and I'm sure it serves a purpose, it's just too much work to remove the 4 bolts and hold the plate up with one arm to put it back in. Especially on the cold ground during winter.

874runnersr5

use the hook it has on the botton part ot rest it ontop of the frame bar thingy.

DupermanDave

I've used that once, but didn't find much use for it if I was installing it. I still have to hold it up with one arm while I finger tighten all of the proper bolts. It's not that bad, really. I just like complaining, lol.

874runnersr5

Haha i hear yea man, mines still been sitting on the side of the garage since i did my timing chain lol.. i just havent gotten to putting it on. yet ive done my leafs, and awhole bunch of other stuff.. i should get on that