Hmmm it appears that the tension has slacked on my brand new alternator or power steering belt or belts on my car and one of them is squealing like a stuck pig in a meat grinder (mmmm....Pork). I see there's an arm that tensions them. I've read up that one side has clockwise threads and the other counter-clockwise. To tension the belts, do I expand the distance of the eye bolt from the body of the tension arm itself?

 

Yes, you want to expand the distance of the eyebolt from the strut. Loosen both lock nuts on either side, then rotate the center strut part to tension the belt. I forget the exact direction you want to turn it.

Just make sure you are careful with those struts, they are usually pretty badly corroded if they havent been adjusted in a while.

 

I know the alternator strut is corroded. I'm thinking of just taking it off and letting it soak in small bowl of PB Blaster. Maybe that will loosen the sucker.

 

jeez the belts squeal like hell!!! Even after I hosed it with WD40 it's still slightly squealing after I shut it off and restart it 30 seconds later! It's weird I put my finger on the belt and it feels tight, but I'm sure that's not enough to justify the tension of it. Ack

 

Let me get this straight. You ask us how to tension a belt, then you spray oil on it...

Hang on kids!!!

 

Maybe he sprayed it on the locknuts to loosen em?? Hopefully thats what he meant...

 

I'm havin the same prob as Stig. They will squela like hell for a couple minutes then quit. Then when i go to crank it back up to head home from school they'll squeal again for awhile then quit. What the hecks the prob?

 

The belt is tensioned very tight. Pushing on it with your finger, you should get 4-5mm of deflection at the longest span.

And yes, i really hope to meant you sprayed the locknuts....

Boricua, thats because the belts tighten as the engine heats up. You should identify if its your alternator or PS belt first. From a cold start try turning the steering wheel a bit at low speed or stopped. If you get increased squeeling you have your belt problem. If its not the PS belt, do the same thing with cold motor, instead turn on electrical things that would increase the draw on the alternator such as the headlights and rear defroster. If you get a louder or more promenient squeel then you know which to tighten up.

Thats not a sure fire way to tell, but has worked for me in the past.

 

try the candel trick I told you on the phone man...