Squeaking noise from belts or pulleys...

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 06:43 AM

A couple more questions.

Is this a serious PITA to remove? Is there a special puller that I need to buy/check out? If so, where do you recommend that I get one?

aldive · 06-20-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmeriaux

A couple more questions.

Is this a serious PITA to remove? Is there a special puller that I need to buy/check out? If so, where do you recommend that I get one?

Take a look atthe following thread for pulling info:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...50#post1377150

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the link and the posts Al!

I haven't used a mirror to look into the face of the HB Pulley. Is there only one center retaining bolt? Then you attach the puller with the two outer bolts and crank the center one to get it to release, right? I don't have the puller, so I'll need to check if the A-Z or another store has one that I can buy/borrow to get this done. Any special lubricants or sealing materials needed for the re-installation?

Thanks in advance for the help!

*manaen* · 06-20-2008, 12:32 PM

yeah I would think if you need to fix it temporally, maybe put an industrial adhesive on the smooth part and slide the whole works forward where it should be. But I really wouldn't use it like that. Although, it's acting like an under drive pulley so it's not all bad

I just wouldn't have your wife driving it in that condition, as you know if that belt goes nothing works and she would be stuck wherever she is...

aldive · 06-20-2008, 12:35 PM

I wouldn't recommend even cranking the motor until you replace it.

Good luck ....

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 01:06 PM

Thanks for your concern. The funny thing is that the belt STAYS on the front section rather well (it's aligned properly).

That's why I posted the pic..........something just didn't look right to me, but I didn't have any other Explorers for comparison (until I found this forum).

I'm embarrassed to say how many miles she's put on it riding like that....I told her she could go a mile or two to the store, but to be prepared to pull over immediately if the belt comes off. I've got a spare belt in her car, so if needed I could change it out and limp home.

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 01:21 PM

....or maybe I'll just get a smaller belt and run it as an underdrive as Rusty suggested!

Dora The 4x4'a · 06-20-2008, 01:32 PM

is the "idler pulley" the same as the harmonic balancer and "main engine pulley" everyones throwin all these diff names out for parts.. are they the same and is that the pulley you would repalce with an "underdrive pulley"

secondly. im having this problem too and was going to replace the idler pulley after i replace the alt if thats not it im hoping that would do the trick. im contimplating putting and underdrive pulley on but would that be a bad idea with a big subwoofer/amp high power speakers and head unit as well as HD headlights and a blue-glo gauge cluster? would that be counterproductive. o yeah and i am replacing the alt. with a higher wattage one

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 01:53 PM

Nope the idler pulley is up top, just to the right of the alternator on a 4.0 V6.
It doesn't drive or power anything, it's just there to help guide the belt over/under the other systems.

The tensioner pulley/assembly is furthest to the left (on the passenger's side) and down below the alternator.

The Harmonic Balancer is the pulley that drives everything and comes off the bottom center of the engine block (below the water pump/fan pulley).

The other two pulleys on the system are the power steering pump (top right), and the A/C compressor (far right), just below the P/S pump.

*manaen* · 06-20-2008, 02:12 PM

The funny thing is (well maybe not so funny), without that rubber and outer ring, it has no harmonic dampening abilities. I wonder about the effect that it has had on the engines internals. Have you noticed any vibrations from the motor?

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 02:34 PM

The belt tracks well, and *IS* riding on what rubber is left on the surface of the inner hub, and the outer pulley isn't loose and flopping around, so there likely is *SOME* dampening.

No odd noises or vibrations from the engine other than the slipping belt.

aldive · 06-20-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmeriaux

Thanks for your concern. The funny thing is that the belt STAYS on the front section rather well (it's aligned properly).

That's why I posted the pic..........something just didn't look right to me, but I didn't have any other Explorers for comparison (until I found this forum).

I'm embarrassed to say how many miles she's put on it riding like that....I told her she could go a mile or two to the store, but to be prepared to pull over immediately if the belt comes off. I've got a spare belt in her car, so if needed I could change it out and limp home.

My concern is not the belt, its that the part is the vibration damper. I would park it.

Dora The 4x4'a · 06-20-2008, 04:37 PM

thanks for the help...just lastly, which pulley gets replaced by a "underdrive pulley"

aldive · 06-20-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dora The 4x4'a

is the "idler pulley" the same as the harmonic balancer and "main engine pulley" everyones throwin all these diff names out for parts.. are they the same and is that the pulley you would repalce with an "underdrive pulley"

No; completely different parts.

aldive · 06-20-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dora The 4x4'a

thanks for the help...just lastly, which pulley gets replaced by a "underdrive pulley"

Several options:

most just replace the crank pulley/vibration damper
I replaced the water pump pulley also
I also replaced the alternator pulley with an overdrive one.

mmeriaux · 06-20-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dora The 4x4'a

thanks for the help...just lastly, which pulley gets replaced by a "underdrive pulley"

"Underdriving" is a generic term for changing the pulley on a system to decrease the amount of power it consumes. To reduce the power to all systems (water pump, alternator, power steering, A/C) you can install a SMALLER underdrive harmonic balancer like Al did here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/....php?p=1377150

To reduce the power to a single system (like the alternator or fan/water pump), you can install a LARGER pulley so that unit turns slower and uses less of your engine's power. Note that slowing down these systems COULD reduce their performance levels and cause other problems - though it sounds like Al has had good success with his mods!

aldive · 06-20-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmeriaux

Note that slowing down these systems COULD reduce their performance levels and cause other problems.

I have never had any problems after underdriving.

I feel that underdriving is the best mod one can do; it not only boosts gas mileage, but also frees up RWHP.

*Spdrcer34* · 06-20-2008, 09:52 PM

I have a spare crank pulley that I can sell you.....$25.00 shipped.

Ryan

mmeriaux · 06-23-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spdrcer34

I have a spare crank pulley that I can sell you.....$25.00 shipped.

Ryan

Darn, I would've taken you up on that last week! New pulley is already on the way........

Dora The 4x4'a · 06-25-2008, 04:31 PM

forgot to clear one quick thing up. so the harmonic balancer (pulley) is the one that spins off the crank speed?

06-20-2008, 12:32 PM	#24
manaen Xterra Forum Member Clear Spring, MD 2011 Xterra Pro-4X Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,835 Vehicle Specs	yeah I would think if you need to fix it temporally, maybe put an industrial adhesive on the smooth part and slide the whole works forward where it should be. But I really wouldn't use it like that. Although, it's acting like an under drive pulley so it's not all bad I just wouldn't have your wife driving it in that condition, as you know if that belt goes nothing works and she would be stuck wherever she is... __________________ Rusty... 2001 Mounty 4x4 4.0 SOHC 4.10's 180K miles Current Mods: replacement Engine, TT, Shackle, AAL, Tranny Cooler, Exhaust, Transgo, Air shocks, ATF Temp & PSI ga., Ext Tranny Filter, UD Pulley, E-Fan, BW EPC, Custom Bumper, Body Lift

06-20-2008, 12:35 PM	#25
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,271 Vehicle Specs	I wouldn't recommend even cranking the motor until you replace it. Good luck .... __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

06-20-2008, 02:12 PM	#30
manaen Xterra Forum Member Clear Spring, MD 2011 Xterra Pro-4X Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,835 Vehicle Specs	The funny thing is (well maybe not so funny), without that rubber and outer ring, it has no harmonic dampening abilities. I wonder about the effect that it has had on the engines internals. Have you noticed any vibrations from the motor? __________________ Rusty... 2001 Mounty 4x4 4.0 SOHC 4.10's 180K miles Current Mods: replacement Engine, TT, Shackle, AAL, Tranny Cooler, Exhaust, Transgo, Air shocks, ATF Temp & PSI ga., Ext Tranny Filter, UD Pulley, E-Fan, BW EPC, Custom Bumper, Body Lift

06-20-2008, 09:52 PM	#38
Spdrcer34 Speed Bremerton, WA 1992 Explorer XL Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,884 Vehicle Specs	I have a spare crank pulley that I can sell you.....$25.00 shipped. Ryan __________________ 1992 Ford Explorer XL - with a few bolt ons...

06-20-2008, 06:43 AM	#21
mmeriaux Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 2004 XLT Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Vehicle Specs	A couple more questions. Is this a serious PITA to remove? Is there a special puller that I need to buy/check out? If so, where do you recommend that I get one?

06-20-2008, 11:46 AM	#23
mmeriaux Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 2004 XLT Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the link and the posts Al! I haven't used a mirror to look into the face of the HB Pulley. Is there only one center retaining bolt? Then you attach the puller with the two outer bolts and crank the center one to get it to release, right? I don't have the puller, so I'll need to check if the A-Z or another store has one that I can buy/borrow to get this done. Any special lubricants or sealing materials needed for the re-installation? Thanks in advance for the help!

06-20-2008, 01:06 PM	#26
mmeriaux Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 2004 XLT Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for your concern. The funny thing is that the belt STAYS on the front section rather well (it's aligned properly). That's why I posted the pic..........something just didn't look right to me, but I didn't have any other Explorers for comparison (until I found this forum). I'm embarrassed to say how many miles she's put on it riding like that....I told her she could go a mile or two to the store, but to be prepared to pull over immediately if the belt comes off. I've got a spare belt in her car, so if needed I could change it out and limp home.

06-20-2008, 01:21 PM	#27
mmeriaux Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 2004 XLT Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Vehicle Specs	....or maybe I'll just get a smaller belt and run it as an underdrive as Rusty suggested!

06-20-2008, 01:32 PM	#28
Dora The 4x4'a Wannabe Elite Explorer Smalltown, Md '92 XLT Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 401 Vehicle Specs	is the "idler pulley" the same as the harmonic balancer and "main engine pulley" everyones throwin all these diff names out for parts.. are they the same and is that the pulley you would repalce with an "underdrive pulley" secondly. im having this problem too and was going to replace the idler pulley after i replace the alt if thats not it im hoping that would do the trick. im contimplating putting and underdrive pulley on but would that be a bad idea with a big subwoofer/amp high power speakers and head unit as well as HD headlights and a blue-glo gauge cluster? would that be counterproductive. o yeah and i am replacing the alt. with a higher wattage one

06-20-2008, 01:53 PM	#29
mmeriaux Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 2004 XLT Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Vehicle Specs	Nope the idler pulley is up top, just to the right of the alternator on a 4.0 V6. It doesn't drive or power anything, it's just there to help guide the belt over/under the other systems. The tensioner pulley/assembly is furthest to the left (on the passenger's side) and down below the alternator. The Harmonic Balancer is the pulley that drives everything and comes off the bottom center of the engine block (below the water pump/fan pulley). The other two pulleys on the system are the power steering pump (top right), and the A/C compressor (far right), just below the P/S pump.

06-20-2008, 02:34 PM	#31
mmeriaux Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 2004 XLT Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Vehicle Specs	The belt tracks well, and IS riding on what rubber is left on the surface of the inner hub, and the outer pulley isn't loose and flopping around, so there likely is SOME dampening. No odd noises or vibrations from the engine other than the slipping belt.

06-20-2008, 04:37 PM	#33
Dora The 4x4'a Wannabe Elite Explorer Smalltown, Md '92 XLT Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 401 Vehicle Specs	thanks for the help...just lastly, which pulley gets replaced by a "underdrive pulley"

06-25-2008, 04:31 PM	#40
Dora The 4x4'a Wannabe Elite Explorer Smalltown, Md '92 XLT Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 401 Vehicle Specs	forgot to clear one quick thing up. so the harmonic balancer (pulley) is the one that spins off the crank speed?