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  #1  
Old 04-21-2011, 12:23 PM
Corovius Corovius is offline
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Exclamation LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

Hey everyone, New to the forum and a new ranger owner as of Monday. Bought it used, Has a K&N intake (doubt its cold air) and and exhaust upgrade, though I cant see a manufacturer stuck on it anywhere. Love it already! I expected to fix a few small things here n there... And my first problems already here.

Extremely loud belt squeaking, I took it to autozone to help me pinpoint it, and it is the pulley(or belt tensioner) that is located directly to the right of the alternator. We tried pulling up engine diagrams of my '95, But no luck (that would have been too easy). So as of now I'm not sure whether the part I need to replace is the Belt tensioner or a belt pulley... they look pretty darn near the same thing, but two different part #'s. Any help guys?
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Old 04-21-2011, 12:29 PM
More_Cowbell More_Cowbell is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

a tensioner would look something like this


and a pulley would just be the pulley part
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1990 Ranger Extended Cab
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It looks like someone attacked the front of the truck with a bedazzler.
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Old 04-21-2011, 12:32 PM
Corovius Corovius is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

Alright. I'm going to take a closer look at it now. Thanks! Follow up question: If it is just a pulley, how easy is it to replace it myself? not very experienced on auto repair, nothing formal. Better to just turn it in? Its right on top, so I would imagine an hour tops for labor $
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Old 04-21-2011, 01:19 PM
More_Cowbell More_Cowbell is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

if its a pulley its just one bolt what you do is you put a wrench on the tension-er and move it the opposite way it is applying tension to relive the pressure off the pulley then take the pulley off and replace it then route the belt around it and then release the tension-er so it apply s proper tension to the belt
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1990 Ranger Extended Cab
2.9L V6 5 Speed Transmission
Planning to put a 347 and a T-5 in it eventually

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It looks like someone attacked the front of the truck with a bedazzler.
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  #5  
Old 04-22-2011, 01:49 PM
knightmare1015 knightmare1015 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

It could also be the belt. Sometimes when you have to replace these parts it's also a good idea to replace your belt(s). I would recomend doing this and using a Goodyear Gatorback Belt. They're tough and they last alot longer than your stock belt.
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  #6  
Old 04-22-2011, 03:26 PM
Cooter83 Cooter83 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

I had a really squeaky belt problem kinda recently myself. I replaced the tensioner pully, idler pully, power steering pully and replaced the belt 3 times. And finally somebody on here recommended that I try a dayco belt. So I bought the dayco belt and installed it. I've driven several thousand miles since and no squeak yet. You should give that a try and hopefully it works out for you too!
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Old 04-22-2011, 10:17 PM
Redbullbrett Redbullbrett is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

I had that problem too. Replaced the tensioner, idler and belt. No more squeaks. Its easy to do yourself. 2 bolts and a 3/8 inch rachet. Just make sure you wear gloves or you'll bust some knuckles.
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Old 04-23-2011, 08:55 AM
Corovius Corovius is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

Well it turns out it was just a belt...returned the pulley for my money back. Idve given it a shot at repairing myself, but having no tools and no spare time to potentially be without transportation i turned it in. Luckily i picked a good shop, who only charged me 45 for the belt and installation. They couldve just put the pulley on too, but said it was workin just fine. baby purrs now. thanks fellas. I dont see why the belt squeaked tho, thing is damn near brand new. guess I have a noisy spare belt if it comes to it. Next thing on my list is tires now, apparently whoever came before me did alot! Found out I have a lowering kit and wider tires. booya
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Old 04-23-2011, 08:26 PM
knightmare1015 knightmare1015 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

I think this has got to be one of the easiest things to fix on a Ford Ranger in general, if not the easiest.
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  #10  
Old 04-23-2011, 08:48 PM
klinger86 klinger86 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

It could have been squeaking because it could have stretched just enough to sqeak. I have had a belt do this a couple of times on different vehicles. It's always a good idea to keep the old belt and the new belt sleeve so u can go to the auto parts store with it and save a little bit of time.
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Old 04-23-2011, 09:10 PM
knightmare1015 knightmare1015 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by klinger86 View Post
It could have been squeaking because it could have stretched just enough to sqeak. I have had a belt do this a couple of times on different vehicles. It's always a good idea to keep the old belt and the new belt sleeve so u can go to the auto parts store with it and save a little bit of time.
Agreed. They've also been known to do it when they get just a little bit of water on them too. Mine use to do that when ever I washed my truck. It would squeal awfully for about 10 minutes then it would quit.
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  #12  
Old 04-24-2011, 03:34 PM
Corovius Corovius is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

Yea I thought it was just a wet belt, because it had started to do it only after a day or rain. but it was squeaking constantly for days, after hours of driving around (no more rain either). i would figure the belt wouldve dried by then. but I did keep the belt, since it looks in good condition. worst case, Ill have a spare belt in case the other one breaks. and maybe it wont be a squeaker by then.
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  #13  
Old 04-24-2011, 03:36 PM
klinger86 klinger86 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

when you took the old belt off did it look glossy?
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  #14  
Old 05-02-2011, 09:45 PM
Jbaker193 Jbaker193 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

Mine was squeaking all day today. I was told by a couple people to put soap on either the belt or the pullys. I put it on the belt and it seems to have stopped the squeak. I hope for good but ill find out soon enough.
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  #15  
Old 05-03-2011, 05:36 AM
01B3000 01B3000 is offline
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Default Re: LOUD belt squeak -Is it the pulley or belt tensioner!?

I remember when I had a seal on my water pump go my belt got covered in antifreeze, i let the belt dry out for a day, and when I put it back on it squealed like a motherfu**er. had to get a new belt. Some things get on the belt and the rubber will just soak it up and never let it come out.
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