Did I spell that right?

Yesterday my truck started making a squeeling sound. It occurs when I accelarate. It also does it for about a second after I shut of the engine. Im thinking it is the belt. It is very old, probably original. It is cracked all over.

How hard are those things to change? Any suggestions?


1989 F-150
Super Cab
302 V8, 5.0
179,000 miles

 

VERY easy to do, if you do not have a diagram on your core support of how the belt is routed, make a drawing of it before you pull the old belt off,, just release the tensioner, slide the belt off a pulley and take it off. lay the belt around all the pullies and then put pressure on the tensioner and slide it back in. word of advise, pick a smooth faced idler pulley that has no shoulder as the one you slide the belt on while retensioning the belt, it will go on MUCH easier than trying to get it pulled up over a pulley shoulder. if you know what you are doing it can be done in under 10 minutes., just make SURE you have a diagram of how the belt goes back on before you take it off.

 

Well, I changed it. It was very easy.

One problem...............

It still squeels. I guess its something else.

 

It most likely is just the belt because of the cracking and age, BUT on my 96 Ranger this is not the case. The belt is in good shape. It is the tension pully. The spring unit in it is very soft and you can almost pull the tension off the idler gear by hand. It really needs to be replaced, but to lazy to do since I don't drive the truck anymore.

 

I would bet it is an ideler pully squeeling. With the belt off spin the idlers and tentioners and listen for a squeel. Keep in mind it won't be near as loud.