Alternator belt squeaks

[Wayne]

My 1997 Legacy alternator belts squeaks. I recently changed my alternator
and belt and now am now being subjected to daily squeaks. I've tried
tightening, loosening, and applying belt dressing; all without success.
Each time the squeak goes away initially but eventually returns. A friend
has suggested sanding the pulleys with course sandpaper.

Has anyone had this problem and what did they do to solve it?
Could it be that the pulleys are not lined up in the same plane? Should I
install shims in the alternator mount to either bring forward or push back
the alternator?

Everything was rosy before I changed the alternator and belt.

I have to roll down the road early in the morning to keep from waking up
the whole neighborhood.

Thanks,
Wayne
The neighborhood squeak

 

[Edward Hayes]

Check to see if the new alternator pulley is in line with the driving
pulley. Sometime the same alternator has a slightly different off-set for
different engines.Some times shims are needed. In addition: did you
purchase a good quality belt??? Ed Hayes

 

[Wayne]

Check to see if the new alternator pulley is in line with the driving
pulley. Sometime the same alternator has a slightly different off-set for
different engines.Some times shims are needed. In addition: did you
purchase a good quality belt??? Ed Hayes

I picked up the belt at a parts store. I just asked for one that fits my
year and engine.
I'll check on the pulley.

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[CompUser]

My 1997 Legacy alternator belts squeaks. I recently changed my alternator
and belt and now am now being subjected to daily squeaks. I've tried
tightening, loosening, and applying belt dressing; all without success.
Each time the squeak goes away initially but eventually returns. A friend
has suggested sanding the pulleys with course sandpaper.

IME, "belt dressing" always seemed to make belts
squeakier. I've heard of rubbing belts (with
engine off) with a bar of soap, but I've always
had good results spraying em down with spray can
silicone lube.

Steve

 

[X-Eliminator]

Have you tried belt dressing? (an old trick from the v-belt days)

===================================================

 

[Edward Hayes]

Belt dressing is a temporary cure and should not be needed on a new belt
unless it was slipped so much it became glazed. I think pulley alignment may
very well be the problem unless oil somehow got on the belt. Ed Hayes

 

[Tony Hwang]

IME, "belt dressing" always seemed to make belts
squeakier. I've heard of rubbing belts (with
engine off) with a bar of soap, but I've always
had good results spraying em down with spray can
silicone lube.

Steve

Hey, Just adjust the belt tension properly or replace the belt if it's
too worn.
Tony

 

[Wayne]

Hey, Just adjust the belt tension properly or replace the belt if it's
too worn.
Tony

The belt is new and the tension is adjusted properly. I've checked it
several times.

Now, about the silicone lube, won't that encourage the belt to slip?

Wayne

 

[Gilles Gour]

If nothing else works, replace the belt with an genuine
Subaru belt.
Good luck!

 

[Edward Hayes]

As I said before check the pulley alignment. Silicon is the worst thing you
can do and belt dressing is a quick fix and temporary for a worn belt. If
the pulleys are aligned and the tension is correct then do as Gilles said
and get a Subaru belt. Just because a belt is the correct length does not
mean it has the correct V angle. Ed Hayes

 

[CompUser]

The belt is new and the tension is adjusted properly. I've checked it
several times.

Now, about the silicone lube, won't that encourage the belt to slip?

Notwithstanding Ed's comments on it, I've used
the *spray* silicone lube on fanbelts on numerous
vehicles I've owned over the last 20+
years...it's always quieted belt noise and never
caused any slipping or increased wear. The
silicon spray lube I'm talking about is a very
thin-bodied, water-clear product, if that helps
describe it better (it's also the bees-knees for
inside lubing a holster, but that's another topic
;-), available under all kinds of generic/cheap
trade names.

Steve

 

[Wayne]

As I said before check the pulley alignment. Silicon is the worst thing you
can do and belt dressing is a quick fix and temporary for a worn belt. If
the pulleys are aligned and the tension is correct then do as Gilles said
and get a Subaru belt. Just because a belt is the correct length does not
mean it has the correct V angle. Ed Hayes

I just checked the pulley alignment and it's OK. I guess I'll get a
genuine Subaru belt.

Thanks,
Wayne