squealing in a 1990 Ranger
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Joined: Apr 2004
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squealing in a 1990 Ranger
I have a 1990 Ford Ranger 4.0L with 191K on it. It started squealing every now and then about a year ago but has turned in to a full blown squeal now.
I replaced the alternator and belt 2 years ago. Six months ago I replace the belt tensioner which seemed to fix it for a bit but the squeal came back with a vengeance.
I also spun the pulleys by hand, they all seemed to spin fine except the power steering pulley. There was some play and I could rotate it an inch or two before I feel it engage.
Possibly related, I have noticed a decrease in my gas mileage.
Any troubleshooting suggestions or ideas where to start? I am thinking of replacing the power steering pump, followed by the idler pulley.
I replaced the alternator and belt 2 years ago. Six months ago I replace the belt tensioner which seemed to fix it for a bit but the squeal came back with a vengeance.
I also spun the pulleys by hand, they all seemed to spin fine except the power steering pulley. There was some play and I could rotate it an inch or two before I feel it engage.
Possibly related, I have noticed a decrease in my gas mileage.
Any troubleshooting suggestions or ideas where to start? I am thinking of replacing the power steering pump, followed by the idler pulley.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Don't replace the pump until you know for a fact it's going out.
Squealing most frequently is the idler or tensioner, then the other pulleys as bearings go out.
The best way to narrow it down is to listen carefully. I use the screwdriver method (put the point of a screwdriver on what you want to listen to and put the handle to your ear), but you can also use a variety of other things, including a hose as I recently learned.
Get close to each pulley and try to narrow down where the sound is coming from. If it's neither the tensioner or the idler, suspect the steering, but a good sound test will pinpoint the noise.
Squealing most frequently is the idler or tensioner, then the other pulleys as bearings go out.
The best way to narrow it down is to listen carefully. I use the screwdriver method (put the point of a screwdriver on what you want to listen to and put the handle to your ear), but you can also use a variety of other things, including a hose as I recently learned.
Get close to each pulley and try to narrow down where the sound is coming from. If it's neither the tensioner or the idler, suspect the steering, but a good sound test will pinpoint the noise.
