CavPat

I threw a belt last week, put a new one on, and it's squeaking now. Is it common for new belts to squeak at first? Might I need a new tensioner?

Luder[PAK9]

Put on new belts myself this past weekend. No squeaks, though my tensior (I'm think it's the source) now makes a rattling noise.

What brand belt did you use?

CavPat

I don't even remember what brand it was, it was whatever Advance had in stock.

98boxer

iTrader: (7)

i would use the gm one though i think there like 60 bucks(i've paid that much for one before) or i think there was a bulletin where you can change some of the pulleys so the belts wont squek

blownta00

sometimes the bearing in the tensioner goes bad. the tensioners are like 30 bucks.

ghardester

A new belt is tighter and moves the tensioner to a different angle. That's what is squeeking. Unless the front bearing of the alternator is going out.

ghardester

https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-maintenance-repairs/813452-mystery-noise-solved-now-i-need-know-name-part.html

Here is someone else with a similar problem.

2002_Z28_Six_Speed

iTrader: (19)

I use the Gates Rubber company for all my junk. I think they supply to GM.

CavPat

I read that other guy's thread, and it's not that. I think I'ma buy a new tensioner and see if that helps.

fortmyerspolice

iTrader: (7)

Get Gatorbacks from any parts store and maybe a katech tensionor

transam5.7lt1

iTrader: (18)

Did you replace both belts? Or only the main drive serpentine belt?

CavPat

Just the main serpentine belt, that's the only one that's on there. My a/c is sittin in my spare bedroom.

plopp

iTrader: (5)

I just replaced both tensioners, ordered from AdvancedAuto (Partsamerica) and got Goodyear tensioners for less than $100 incl shipping.

I replaced the two belts a few times, they don't last very long, maybe 18months/15000 miles....hopefully with the new tensioners they last a little longer...

Here's an idea: keep the receipt and return the belts within a year, they come with a 1year replacement warranty.... if I don't forget about it I'll just get two new ones before they start squeeking again...

CavPat

Thanks plopp. Ya I called my local Advance Auto Parts, I'll be running by there as soon as I get off work. I'm going to buy a new tensioner and a new idler pulley for the alternator. I took another look/listen yesterday, and there seems to be some noise coming from the alternator pulley. The squeaking stopped on my way to work this morning, and started making more of a whining sound. As soon as I got to work, I popped the hood, and saw that the belt was working it's way off of the power steering pulley.

plopp

iTrader: (5)

This sounds like your tensioner is "collapsing" and the pulley doesn't line up with the other pulleys anymore... had exactly this problem on wife's V6 Camaro...

AdvancedAuto does not stock these tensioners, you can only order online, takes like 4-5 days to get them ($49 each) ... or you spend $75 at NAPA, they seem to have them in stock...

UCABlackChevy

iTrader: (10)

If that doesn't work, and you want to change idler pulleys DO NOT buy the parts store idler pulleys. They are not the same as the LS1 even though they will tell you it is. It will fit but it will not work for long. Just spend the extra couple of dollars and get a GM one OR pull the original apart and regrease it (but that does not work all the time). If I can find the pic of what the parts store pulley looked like after 2 months of weekend driving I'll post it.

CavPat

Update. Yesterday on my way to work, it stopped squeaking and started making more of a whining/grinding noise. As soon as I got to work, I popped the hood to take a look. I noticed that the belt was half way off of the power steering pulley. I pulled the tensioner loose so I could slide the belt back onto the power steering pulley. As soon as I pulled it loose, the power steering pump fell. Yes, fell completely loose. Turns out that the metal bracket that mounts the power steering pump to the motor broke in half. I went to Advance, had no luck finding the bracket on their computer. I think I'm just gonna pull that bracket out and go to the dealer to see if I can get one from them.
*EDIT
I called the local dealership, they have the bracket I need for like $13.