squealing pulley help
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From: the nutmeg state "CT"
squealing pulley help
The truck started squeaking at me last week. I found what appears to be a loose pulley of some sort. It's wobbling a little so I assume that is the problem. It's the second pulley down on the passenger side. The red pointer is where the wobbling is coming from. What needs fixin here?
Thanks so much
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Thanks so much
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taking a screen shot
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
With any kind of miles I'd recommend just replacing the whole tensioner assembly.
It will have nice tight springs and new pulleys and bearings!!
Also, if it were mine I'd change the belt while you are at it!
It will have nice tight springs and new pulleys and bearings!!
Also, if it were mine I'd change the belt while you are at it!
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 334
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From: Michigan
If your on a tight budget you can just unbolt the pulleys and replace those alone. Seems like you can purchase generic pulleys for ten or fifteen bucks a piece. There's just one bolt in each and it only takes a few minutes a pulley once the belt is off.
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From: the nutmeg state "CT"
Hmm, I went and took a video but the wobbling can't be seen in it. I didn't realize that some movement was OK. I might just go ahead and replace the whole thing anyway if the pulleys are going. It's squaking pretty good and the motorcraft version is $78 shipped on Amazon unless I hear of a better value from someone on here.
Can I test the pulleys to make sure they are bad before I buy a new unit? Maybe spray some some PB Blaster in there?
Can I test the pulleys to make sure they are bad before I buy a new unit? Maybe spray some some PB Blaster in there?
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From: the nutmeg state "CT"
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the hoster blue the size out all weird. But you can hear if it you please.
the hoster blue the size out all weird. But you can hear if it you please.
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From: the nutmeg state "CT"
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It sounds to me like it is a belt problem. With the engine running spray the belt with a little water and see if it shuts up for a second. I would pull the belt and check the tensioner pulleys, idler pulley and water pump for any excessive play before installing a new belt though.
I had a morning squeak on my truck. The belt was a Gates that was almost 2 years old, so I put a new tensioner and idler pulley on it since they had some play, also fixed my leaking thermostat housing. The noise was worse the next day, it didn't go away any more once it warmed up. A new belt and she is back to her quiet clattering self!!
It sounds to me like it is a belt problem. With the engine running spray the belt with a little water and see if it shuts up for a second. I would pull the belt and check the tensioner pulleys, idler pulley and water pump for any excessive play before installing a new belt though.
I had a morning squeak on my truck. The belt was a Gates that was almost 2 years old, so I put a new tensioner and idler pulley on it since they had some play, also fixed my leaking thermostat housing. The noise was worse the next day, it didn't go away any more once it warmed up. A new belt and she is back to her quiet clattering self!!
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From: the nutmeg state "CT"
takotruckin
thanks to your misfortune all I need is a new belt. Which is unfortunate because I just replaced the old cracked one less then a year ago.
The water made the squeal go away.
thanks to your misfortune all I need is a new belt. Which is unfortunate because I just replaced the old cracked one less then a year ago.
The water made the squeal go away.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Fresno, CA
Yours looks like a Gates belt as well, I believe they have a lifetime warranty against defects, would be worth looking into. I work in a shop, so I just warrantied mine out with my vendor.
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
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From: Alaska
Depending on how many miles are on your truck I would go ahead a replace the tensioner unit.
My friends tensioner on his 7.3 just broke going down the road. When it breaks it's a small explosion. There is a tightly would spring in that unit. His truck had to be towed.
The spring in mine was getting weak and I ended up shredding two belts after gouging on the go pedal to pass slow traffic.
I think I paid around $50 for mine at Autozone. Not my favorite parts house, but it's been holding up for almost two years now.
My friends tensioner on his 7.3 just broke going down the road. When it breaks it's a small explosion. There is a tightly would spring in that unit. His truck had to be towed.
The spring in mine was getting weak and I ended up shredding two belts after gouging on the go pedal to pass slow traffic.
I think I paid around $50 for mine at Autozone. Not my favorite parts house, but it's been holding up for almost two years now.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Hagerstown, MD
The tensioner doesn't seem to be one of those "Motorcraft-or-nothing" parts either. I'm starting to find that Motorcraft tensioners for these trucks seem to be lesser quality, or don't hold up as long as certain aftermarket units.
