i'm squeaking - need recommendations
 

my y2k C5 coupe started squeaking today.

obviously coming from the belts. i see a bit of wobble in the balancer. i know this is a common problem and am ready to get it fixed now.

i have replaced the idler pulleys and the belt already so i don't think the squeak is coming from them.

I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP!

looking for a local corvette knowledgable mechanic to do the work. i plan to buy a Powerbond 25% underive pulley and have it pinned when installed.

any recommendations for someone local to do the work?

thanks,

jeff

Oil seems to stop most squeeks!:lol:

"looking for a local corvette knowledgable mechanic"

TJ Wong is your man

do a search for member tjwong

Jeff

If you're looking for someone local try www.bradscustomauto.com

They specialize in corvettes & mustangs and always have corvettes in their shop.

I've had my car serviced there for the past 5 years. Having the steering rack replaced next week.

Mark

Isolate the problem. Remove the serpentine belt(s) and see if the noise stops. If this sound persists, I have seen bad roller lifters and loose dampener pulleys make this noise.
Dan
Vetteworks
3290 B ST NW #A
Auburn, WA
253-223-4968
www.vetteworksonline.com

i'll have time to do this today but i have a question -

i know i can take off the lower belt (the ac belt right?) and the car will run without it. but i'm not sure about the upper belt - can i start and run the car without the upper belt?

jeff

Jeff, you can run it without the main belt, but not for very long. It drives the alternator and more importantly the water pump. So you can start it, idle it and listen. A easier way to check is to take a spray bottle with water in it, spray while its running and see if the noise changes.

From what I have seen, all stock LS balancers will have some wobble, however if it looks like its wobbling a quarter inch or more that is not normal. You should be able to see a slight run out.

hmmm

it's certainly not wobbling 1/4". not even close to that much.

i pulled the belts and the squeak stopped. i put the alternator/waterpump belt back on and no squeak. i then added the lower a/c belt and.......no squeak????

did i fix it?? :D should i go into business as a corvette mechanic? :D

or....is my car possessed? :willy::rofl:

jeff

I've had them work on my '04 when I had it (on Mark's recommendation) and was really pleased. They're near you. Call them.

Jeff, also it could be the AC idler or the tensioner pulleys, I repalce those pulleys all the time, especially cars with 50k plus miles on them. How did the belts look? Were they glazed on the ribbed side?

I would agree. We have replace a few tensioner pulleys.
Dan

tom,

all pulleys and belts were replace last fall. the belts look brand new, no glazing. maybe one of the tensioner or idler pulleys is the culprit. no squeaking this morning on cold start, but i did not drive it to work. i'll try another start this afternoon and if i see any change i'll post up.

i looked closely at the balancer this morning too - i would estimate that it runs out less than 1/16" TIR. i also wanted to check to see if it was backing off, if the bolt had failed. unfortunately, i don't know enough about what it's supposed to look like to know if it's wrong, so i couldn't tell.

i think i'm at the point now were i'm stumped.

thanks to everyone who posted. i may not have answered all of you but i read every post and i really appreciate your help and advice.

jeff
:auto: