Okay, I replaced my alternator today (and have the cut hands to prove it). However, now, the car intermittently squeals. I know it's coming from the idler pulley. When I reinstalled the pulley, I pushed down on it from above, leaning my body weight against it to push it down as far as I could as I tightened it with my other hand. My question is, what's the best way to install the pulley so I avoid this problem? Or, is there another possible cause of this squeal?

~THT

 

Bump TTT

~THT

 

It is tightened against the block, right?

I use this order:
1) loosen idler pulley center bolt
2) loosen idler pulley adjust bolt
3) adjust belts/change alt. etc
4) tighten idler pulley center bolt until there is no wiggle in the pulley, but not tight enough to put stress on the adjust bolt.
5) tighten adjust bolt
6) snug idler pulley

Sometimes I get lazy and do things out of order - it always makes a mess.

Dave

 

Which bolt are you tightening? The center bolt that holds the idler pulley in? or the adjustment bolt that runs up along side the engine block to a 'stopper' that allows the pulley to be adjusted?

 

Both the idle pulley bolt and the 14mm adjuster

~THT

 

try loosening the 14mm adjuster and idler pulley bolt again. If the idler pulley bolt is on too tight, then the 14mm adjuster won't even do its job. Now use the 14mm adjuster to tighten it. Then finally go ahead and tighten the idler pulley bolt and see if that helps.

 

My other question is did you reassemble the idler pulley correctly?

It should go in this order from right to left (view from front of car):

-The big long washer
-14mm adjuster rod
-idler pulley
-smaller washer
-that black plate
-bolt to hold it in.

 

This was my problem. No more squealing! Thanks guys!

~THT