Hi all- I'm stumped with my belt squeal issue and could use some outside input. Truck is an 03 with 145k miles

Not too long ago my power steering pump went out, so I replaced it with an ATSCO reman unit from RockAuto and threw on a new Dayco belt. Not too long after I start getting a belt chirp noise from the driver's side of the engine, which has progressively turned into a loud squeal and is definitely coming from the driver's side front of the engine . The squeal is only while the truck is cold and only persists for the first 10 minutes of driving or so - and the power steering itself works just fine whether the squeal is there or not. Usually if I drive somewhere close, park, run into a store, and come back out and start the truck again it's gone.

Variables to consider before you guys start making suggestions:
1. Since the squeal started I've already replaced the belt tensioner (Dayco), 80mm idler pulley, rebled the power steering system, added a bottle of Lucas's, and removed and cleaned the belt and pulleys with carb cleaner
2. The squeal is quite loud and increases and decreases with acceleration, but does not seem to increase or decrease when the A/C is turned on/off 3. I've checked the belt model number to ensure it was the correct one, and double checked the routing against the RAVE manual
4. I'm sure I installed the power steering pulley the correct direction and torqued it per the RAVE instructions
5. Truck does not have ACE
6. Fluid used was Valvoline standard power steering fluid
7. Squeal exists whether the truck is parked or moving
8. Power steering system does not leak


Culprits I'm considering:
1. The ATSCO reman power steering pump does not align the pulleys correctly (does not appear misaligned) --> try a genuine pump instead or shim the pulley
2. Many have suggested using synthetic power steering fluid only. Not sure if standard rather than synthetic fluid would be enough to cause significant pulley resistance to cause a belt squeal. Thoughts?
3. I got a dud reman power steering pump --> return for warranty replacement
4. I read somewhere to try reversing the belt? Didn't know it was possible to run it the incorrect direction, as I assumed belts don't have a "right" direction


Any and all thoughts are appreciated, as I'm not quite sure where to go from here. Thanks!

 

I'd go with option 3. Listening to it thru a yard stick may help your hear more noises.

 

I seem to fight the squeaky belt often.
I've put so many damn belts on this truck its ridiculous.

You can try this.
Loosen up the belt (IE: remove from one of the pulleys). Spray some carb cleaner on the idler pulleys and anywhere the flat side of the belt runs around something. let it dry, then replace the belt.

I've had the worst luck with the belts from the auto part stores... Seems I get anything more then a drop of coolant on them and they squeal louder then.... well you know what...

I've also thought about taking the idler pulleys off and running them along a wire wheel to scuff them up a little bit to give them traction on the crappy belts. Since I have so many spares now, i'm not too concerned about one breaking.

 

Thanks for all of your help guys! Savannah was right- I got a warranty replacement power steering pump from RockAuto and voila! no more squeak! must have gotten a dud the first time around

 

Better the PS pump sqeaking than the front prop shaft....

 

This is EXACTLY the same problem I'm having. No problems before the new PS pump but a squeal about starting about a week after installing it. I ended up sending it back and got a replacement with the same squeal starting about a week after installing. I did use a new belt but it started squealing like the old belt. PS works fine though. What could be the problem that the pump would somehow cause the squealing? I did, as an experiment, spray some belt dressing on it which eliminated the squeal for about 5 seconds and then was way worse than ever for about an hour of driving. Now it only squeals for about 10 minutes and is fine after that. Solutions?

 

First, take the belt off and clean belt and pulleys with brake cleaner (some prefer carb cleaner). While it's apart, spin all the accessory pulleys and see if any seems problematic.

Next replace both idlers and the tensioner.

If that doesn't fix it, it pretty much as to be one of your accessories, so you use a yardstick or rubber hose to decide which accessory to replace first.

Or just drive it til it fails, which will possibly leave you stranded at some point but will be simpler to fix.

 

My guess it could be the A/C pump or A/C pump clutch. Try get hold of a cheapo stethoscope OEM/Mechanic's stethoscope (25210) | Automotive Stethoscope | AutoZone.com and check the different pulleys, pumps and kit. It's also useful for checking lots of other mystery noises, knocks and clicks - essential kit for the toolbox.

 

If you truly believe it's the belt squealing try spraying some water onto it and see whether the squeal disappears. DON'T spray any lubricant or silicon spray as it degrades the belt prematurely. My guess it's not the belt as it has a pre-load tensioner and more likely a dry bearing somewhere on the ancillaries.

 

I forgot to mention I replaced all pulleys and the tensioner after the first PS pump but the problem still exists. I've done the yard stick on the AC and ACE pumps and they both sound nice. Can't get to the PS pump when everything is spinning but I did take a hose and put it in between one of the pulleys, the ace pump and PS pump and it's hard to track down but possibly louder in that location. I'm just wondering if I have grounds enough to get a warranty return on the pump and put another (3rd one) in.