ac belt replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia pa
ac belt replacement
Hi
I need to replace the AC belt on my 99 it's screaming and so far belt dressing hasn't helped much.
What would be a good one to replace it with? I hear Gates aren't all that great but isn't that the belt that comes on the car in the first place?
I don't care what it is as long as it shuts the car up.
I need to replace the AC belt on my 99 it's screaming and so far belt dressing hasn't helped much.
What would be a good one to replace it with? I hear Gates aren't all that great but isn't that the belt that comes on the car in the first place?
I don't care what it is as long as it shuts the car up.
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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Hi KeyoRacing -
I went with Goodyear gatorback belts on both cars - they are great so far.
best regards -
mqqn
I went with Goodyear gatorback belts on both cars - they are great so far.
best regards -
mqqn
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
My belts started squealing about six months ago. A little belt dressing quieted them down. Then a few weeks later, squealing came back and belt dressing would no longer work. I saw lots of posts here on CF recommending the Gatorbacks, so I got the Gatorbacks from Autozone and replaced them myself in about 15 minutes. Not one squeak or squeal since.
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Get the Goodyear Gatorbacks. 
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 7
From: Willow Park Texas
If the belt dressing is not working, there is a good chance it might not be the belt. Look at the A/C tensionor and idle pulley with the engine running. I found that my tensionor was at a small angle and not running true. Replaced it and the noise went away. If the belt dressing is not helping, I am willing to bet that it is one of the two pulleys. A mechanics stethoscope touching the bolt on the front of the pulley would also help pin point the problem.
Good luck
Reb
Good luck
Reb
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
Keyo,
There are two belts. The smaller one only drives the a/c. The larger one drives everything else. I think the total cost for both belts at AutoZone was only about $45 (don't quote me on that). Both belts are removed the same way; use a wrench or socket on the bolt in the center of the idler to compress the idler spring and then slip the belt off the pulley. The larger belt has to come off first because it's in front of the smaller belt. The smaller belt idler is aggravating to get at because there are some small rigid tubing lines directly in front of the bolt. So you'll have to use a wrench rather than a socket. But with a little patience and a dash of cussing, you'll get it.
There are two belts. The smaller one only drives the a/c. The larger one drives everything else. I think the total cost for both belts at AutoZone was only about $45 (don't quote me on that). Both belts are removed the same way; use a wrench or socket on the bolt in the center of the idler to compress the idler spring and then slip the belt off the pulley. The larger belt has to come off first because it's in front of the smaller belt. The smaller belt idler is aggravating to get at because there are some small rigid tubing lines directly in front of the bolt. So you'll have to use a wrench rather than a socket. But with a little patience and a dash of cussing, you'll get it.
