can't figure out serpentine squeal - 4.0

[anarky321]

2008 explorer 4.0

so far ive replaced alternator, tensioner, idler, belt, ac compressor

ive examined every pulley 5x for play etc....the only one that has any is the PS pump pulley moves in/out a few mm....is that normal?

the squeal is loud like the belt is too loose but im using the spec 2185mm belt.....im thinking of trying a 2180mm

any other suggestions? i even cleaned all the grooved pulleys of leftover rubber from last belt

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Make sure your harmonic balancer isn't separating from the pulley. When mine did it was also making a belt noise that I couldn't find at first.

 

[anarky321]

i felt mine it felt like the crank pulley had a rubber outer coating or something is that normal? maybe thats the source of it

you know i kept thinking about this....i bet the crank pulley is the source of the squeal...i should have caught that when i felt it and the grooves felt like rubber...sheesh

 

[Fbird]

The tensioner SHOULD have 2 marks on the body and an arrow on the movabale section to let you know that it is GOOD. Odd, my crank pulley is just standard STEEL GROOVED.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Here's mine, bad one on the left.

 

[Fbird]

Oh..... your balancer came APART! Yeah it shouldnt do THAT!! I misinterpeted your post thinking the groved area where the belt rides was actually covered with something.

 

[anarky321]

yuppp it was the crank pulley....getting it off was a whole separate adventure...using the threaded holes didn't work

 

[Fbird]

obviously you did get it off.... but yeah you use a couple 1/4" bolts and go THRU the holes and put a nut.

 

[anarky321]

yea that most certainly did not work for me - one of the bolts kept ripping out of the threads - i ended up having to take the radiator and condenser out and using a 3-jaw puller - and even that barely got it off

 

[anarky321]

obviously you did get it off.... but yeah you use a couple 1/4" bolts and go THRU the holes and put a nut.

i was using m8x1.25 bolts....are you saying use narrower longer bolts?

 

[Fbird]

i was using m8x1.25 bolts....are you saying use narrower longer bolts?

Yes as the threads in the balancer are usually rusted. You can use a 4 1/2" long 1/4" bolt and go thru to the back side with a nut.

 

[Fbird]

just read your previous post. Was your balancer completely seperated ON THE CAR? or did that happen when you were using a gear puller (with legs and jaws) on the outside of the pulley?