HOW TO STOP SQUEAKY BELTS?

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Aug 29, 2011 | 02:00 PM

Pastortom1

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 184

Likes: 10

From: Zephyrhills, Florida

HOW TO STOP SQUEAKY BELTS?

Guys, I've owned 2 Ford Conversion vans (an 88 high top 350, and an 89 low top 302) and an E-350 5th wheel hauler with a 460......ALL suffered from noisy belts......Apart from changing every single belt and polishing the pulleys, is there ANY sure fire, no bull way to STOP the annoying belt noise on these things??

I've tried nearly every remedy known to man, so PLEASE don't chime in with a guess of what might work temporarily........

Has anyone found something to quiet them without treating them every day or few days ???????

Aug 29, 2011 | 04:15 PM

glovemeister

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 3,244

Likes: 40

Scratching up the pulleys helps...

Aug 29, 2011 | 04:40 PM

Pastortom1

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 184

Likes: 10

From: Zephyrhills, Florida

You know, I'd wondered about that myself a few times but never tried it.....I always went the opposite direction by pulling everything and then using fione steel wool.....that's more of a polishing than maybe a sandpaper.

Makes a lot of sense........It'd be nice if ya' could just reach in there while they were turnin' and set your sandpaper down on the pulley......problem there is that I like my fingers.

Being that I've never tried roughing them up like that, I think it's about time I give it a try.

Thanks for the tip.................

Aug 29, 2011 | 04:50 PM

81-F-150-Explorer

Post Fiend

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 8,786

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From: Northern California

The pulley is either worn or pollished smooth.

X2: on the sandpaper trick. Rough up the pulley. Replace the pulley and the belt if that doesn't work.

Sandpaper against the grain or perpendicular to the belt travel.

Aug 29, 2011 | 05:17 PM

Pastortom1

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 184

Likes: 10

From: Zephyrhills, Florida

First thing that came to mind was perhaps a crosshatch like we use on cylinder walls.......

I'm thinking maybe a light 100 grit.....?? Maybe 180........

Aug 29, 2011 | 07:58 PM

billt28

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 1,479

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From: West Valley City

Try a grinder with a coarse wire brush attachment on it. Not the cup style but the flat style.

Aug 29, 2011 | 10:39 PM

1983F1503004x4

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 1,916

Likes: 4

Take some of that ol' syrupy dish soap (Dawn dish soap comes to mind) and "grease" your belts with it. Don't use WD40 or any oils or anything.

Aug 30, 2011 | 07:07 AM

Pastortom1

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 184

Likes: 10

From: Zephyrhills, Florida

Soaps, oils, grease, bar soap, WD40, Armor All, Silicone, etec...etc...etc....are ALL just temporary.

ALL of them.

Aug 30, 2011 | 08:02 AM

#10

parr4

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 570

Likes: 1

From: Austin Texas (area)

Every time I tried using one of those 'gator-back' belts, I had the squeak problem. Went back to continuous-rubber belt.....solved. My pulleys are 30yrs old and shiny.

Aug 30, 2011 | 10:49 AM

#11

Pastortom1

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 184

Likes: 10

From: Zephyrhills, Florida

By gator back, you mean the ones with the slots cut into the tops?

Aug 30, 2011 | 10:56 AM

#12

Stangrcr1

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,154

Likes: 2

From: Marysville, WA

I just put in one of those gator back belts on the alternator and it started squeaking the next day. Did not do it with the old standard style belt. Stopping by the auto parts place for a new standard belt today.

Aug 30, 2011 | 01:23 PM

#13

beetle

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 285

Likes: 1

From: sunny san diego

Same here......ribbed belts on P/S are noisy, never again.

Aug 31, 2011 | 10:11 AM

#14

Stangrcr1

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,154

Likes: 2

From: Marysville, WA

Stopped by Napa yesterday and they said all the new belts are coming out ribbed. Grrr. So I went back and looked again at my pulleys and the alternator pulley on mine is worn and looks more like a U than a V. Think I found my problem. Might want to take a closer look at yours...