After I replaced my alternator my car started to make this horrible squealing noise...thats when I noticed that when we took off this part (I know now that we didn't need to) we had not replaced something that looks kinda like a washer. My mechanic said that this is where the noise was coming so I went to salvage to get it and after they put it on it still makes the noise! what else could it be?

 

Are your belts tight? It sounds like you didn't tighten your belts up. How far can you push down on your alternator belt.

 

I dunno I'll go check...right now. Thanks for the quick response

 

I'd say its around 1/2" give or take a little

 

That sounds good I remember when I had a slipping belt it did that until I had it adjusted. Try adjusting it a liitle tighter so there's a 1/4" slack.

 

ok...will do, thanks and i hope it works!

 

It is not the washer. The actual tensioner pulley has a bearing inside that will seize up. When the bearing seizes, it prevents the pulley from rotating when the bolt is tightened down. The same thing happened on mine. You can either go to any parts store or a boneyard and get the pulley. I opted to purchase two new pulleys: one for the altenator belt (the one that was bad) and one for the power steering belt (to offset a future failure).