squeeling pulleys
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 836
Likes: 89
From: Tucson Az
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
squeeling pulleys
Is ther a danger driving to long with a pulley that is chirping and squeeling? Will it cause a belt to break ? Will the woble get bad enough to cause damage? Or is it something you can live with it you tune out the squeek?
Ron
Ron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
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From: Long Island New York
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
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From: Milwaukee Wi
I'm not sure how long the belts will last. It was the bearing in the idler pulley and another pulley(at least it was on my 5.3 Silverado). The idler pulley was the only pulley I could see at the time. Replaced it and it still squealed and found out right before a 1100 mile trip there was another pulley near the bottom of the engine. I still went on the trip and ended up putting about 1800 more miles on it and was fine. I did go ahead and replace it when I stopped at a friends house. I do think it will wear out the belt and the pulleys are relatively cheap if that is what is causing the problems. Also on one of the silverado boards they show how to take the pulley apart (although they are sealed) and just regrease it.
Total I put about 8k miles on mine while it was squealing. I couldn't hear it in the truck(2 layers of sound deadening material made it ultra quiet) is the only reason I went so long.
Ricky
Total I put about 8k miles on mine while it was squealing. I couldn't hear it in the truck(2 layers of sound deadening material made it ultra quiet) is the only reason I went so long.
Ricky
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,794
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Yes there is danger and expense of putting off the repair
The squealing is the bearings going.... if they seize and bind the torque associated with belt movement can rip off other parts on the same belt system. IF it is the upper, it loose parts can drop or hang and seize the lower belt system....
Your vehicle can overheat, and have mechanical damage the power steering, the alternator, the A/C.
It is best not to put off the repair... you could end up stranded, needing a tow and having costing avoidable repairs.
The squealing is the bearings going.... if they seize and bind the torque associated with belt movement can rip off other parts on the same belt system. IF it is the upper, it loose parts can drop or hang and seize the lower belt system....
Your vehicle can overheat, and have mechanical damage the power steering, the alternator, the A/C.
It is best not to put off the repair... you could end up stranded, needing a tow and having costing avoidable repairs.
