Screeching sounds after power steering / AC belt change

[Mahonri]

Hello All,

I changed my power steering and AC generator belts a couple months ago when the weather was still cool. Everything was fine. Now that it is summer time here in Texas, things have warmed up a bit and both of these belts are squealing like pigs.

I'm guessing that I did not tighten them enough since the squealing is worse with warmer weather and the belts have expanded a little.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks!

[Tom 2000]

Check your belt tension.

[Kep]

I agree with your logic and that is what happens with loose belts. An old rule of thumb to see if the tension was correct was that you should not be able to twist the belt much less than or more than 90 degrees by hand. If you can turn it more than 90 degrees in the middle between the pulleys then it is too loose. This isn't precise but it works fairly well.

I'm not sure about the expansion idea (I think the metal pulleys expand about the same if not more). However, maybe the tensioning mechanism has gotten loose.

Kep

[Mike Gerber]

The belts do stretch out a bit after a few hundred to a few thousand miles of usuage. In my experience the power steering belt is the one that stretches the most. Also aftermarket belts stretch more than OEM belts. I would recheck the power steering belt first from underneath the car.

Mike

[FishyMan]

How often should I change belts? i'm nearing 50k.
and we have 2 drive belts right?

[nikita]

Its not miles, but condition. Too many variables to set a mileage. Environment, heat, cold humid, dry, smog, etc. matter more. Inspect for fraying and cracks. If none, leave them alone.