Squeaking Belts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, Texas
Squeaking Belts
hi guys, i have this terrible belt squeak on my 98. I took it to the dealer, they replaced the belts and tensioner pulley, the next day the squeaking returned. any idea on what it is, its driving me crazy. Its real noisy in the mourning, and starts to decrease in noise after about 15 minutes. helllllppppppp :cry
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Squeaking Belts (RACER-X-C5)
I also have a 98 and the squeaky belt when I first start it for about 10 minutes till it warms up. I have a SC and have to keep my belt alittle tight to avoid slippage, but since you have it too, I think it must be something in one of the pulleys/bearings getting worn due to our cars being 4 years old. I also changed belts and had it come back quickly. It is alittle annoying, but always goes away soon.
JB
JB
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Squeaking Belts (jbsblownc5)
I've just had the squeaky belt problem with my 98 but it has gone away after changing one belt (for now at least). You can spray some water directly on the belts and if the squeaking goes away then the noise is comming from the belts contacting the pulleys. The repair manual says that there may be a buildup between the groves of the pulleys that needs to be cleaned before installing new belts, your dealer may have skipped this step.
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 129
From: Vacaville Ca
Re: Squeaking Belts (RACER-X-C5)
Hey Racer-x-C5, have you tryed spraying spraying a little Silicone Lube on the belts ? My buddie's 98 had the same problem, the dealer changed the belt , pulleys and the tensioner and the squeaking returned. We made sure the groves were clean and sprayed a some Silicone on the groves of the belt and so far so good, no belt squeel !!! :smash: :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Squeaking Belts (RACER-X-C5)
RACER-X-C5,
Chevrolet issued TSB #99-06-01-007 "Accessory Drive Squeak (Replace Idler Pulley)" to correct this problem. It involves 1997 - 1999 Corvettes, and 1999 - 1999 Camaro and Firebird with the LS1 engine.
The TSB instructs the dealer to replace the idler pulley (not the tensioner) with a revised / updated part #12564401 "Idler Pulley Assembly". It allows 0.3 hours labor.
The original pulley dust shield was crushed upon assembly, causing it to contact the bearing race and the pulley resulting in the squeak. The updated part has a thicker dust shield to prevent distortion of the dust shield.
My 1999 C5 had the same problem. The replacement pulley eliminated the squeak. (It is the idler pulley below the alternator.)
Good luck.
Chevrolet issued TSB #99-06-01-007 "Accessory Drive Squeak (Replace Idler Pulley)" to correct this problem. It involves 1997 - 1999 Corvettes, and 1999 - 1999 Camaro and Firebird with the LS1 engine.
The TSB instructs the dealer to replace the idler pulley (not the tensioner) with a revised / updated part #12564401 "Idler Pulley Assembly". It allows 0.3 hours labor.
The original pulley dust shield was crushed upon assembly, causing it to contact the bearing race and the pulley resulting in the squeak. The updated part has a thicker dust shield to prevent distortion of the dust shield.
My 1999 C5 had the same problem. The replacement pulley eliminated the squeak. (It is the idler pulley below the alternator.)
Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: Rye Brook, NY
Re: Squeaking Belts (RACER-X-C5)
I had dealer replace belts, tensioner and pullies etc. under warranty on my 98. The squeak never went away. It finally disappeared for good when my AC Compressor destroyed itself and was replaced.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Torrance California
Re: Squeaking Belts (RACER-X-C5)
I had / have this problem with my 98 coupe. The dealer sprayed some WD40 on the belts and the noise stopped - for a time. According the the tech, it is caused by the heavy white writing on the belts slipping against the pulley - sounds like BS to me, but the WD 40 seemed to work.
Robert
Robert
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Re: Squeaking Belts (RACER-X-C5)
check the large pulley on the bottom and see if it is wobbling, sometimes they shift and cause the belt to squeak, happened to me once it was replaced all was fine
