How to Calm a Noisy Drive Belt

The drive belt drives various accessories mounted on the engine. The best way to minimize its noise is to adjust the drive belt to specification.

The drive belt is used to drive accessories mounted on the front of the engine such as the alternator, power steering pump and water pump. The belt itself is knocked off the crankshaft pulley. There are a number of lubricants on the market that claim to dampen drive belt noise, but the only effective way to dampen the squeal is to adjust the drive belt to specification.

• Attention: If the vehicle is equipped with a V-ribbed belt, it cannot be adjusted. In this case, a squealing belt indicates a problem with the tensioner or a misaligned pulley system that needs to be repaired.

Necessary materials

• Free Repair Manuals - Autozone provides free online repair manuals for certain makes and models.
• Protective gloves
• Mounting (as needed)
• Safety glasses
• Wrench or ratchet and appropriate size sockets

Method 1 of 2: Adjusting the belt with the adjusting roller

Step 1: Find your adjustment point. The drive belt is adjusted using either an adjusting pulley or an auxiliary pivot and adjusting bolts.

Either design will be located at the front of the engine in the drive belt area. In this case, you need an adjusting pulley.

Step 2: Loosen the adjusting pulley lock.. Loosen the locking latch on the face of the adjusting pulley by turning it counterclockwise with a ratchet or wrench of the appropriate size.

• Attention: Do not remove the clasp, only loosen.

Step 3: Tighten the adjustment buckle. Tighten the adjuster on the top of the pulley by turning it clockwise with a ratchet or wrench.

Step 4: Check Belt Deflection. Make sure the belt is properly tensioned by pressing on the longest part of the belt. The belt should flex about ½ inch if properly tensioned.

Step 5: Tighten the pulley retainer.. Once proper belt tension has been achieved, tighten the adjusting pulley locking latch by turning it clockwise with a ratchet or wrench.

Method 2 of 2: Adjusting the Belt with the Accessory Hinge

Step 1: Find your adjustment point. The drive belt is adjusted using either an adjusting pulley or an auxiliary pivot and adjusting bolts.

Either design will be located at the front of the engine in the drive belt area. In this case, you are looking for an additional hinge.

Step 2: Loosen the Adjustment Bracket Fasteners. Loosen the adjustment bracket fasteners by turning them counterclockwise with a ratchet or wrench.

• Attention: Do not remove fasteners.

Step 3: Move the Belt Drive Accessory. Using a pry bar, pry off the belt drive accessory (be it an alternator, power steering pump, etc.) until the belt is taut.

Step 4: Tighten the adjustment bracket fasteners. Tighten the adjustment bracket fasteners while continuing to tension the belt drive accessory.

Step 5: Check Belt Deflection. Make sure the belt is properly tensioned by pressing on the longest part of the belt. The belt should flex about ½ inch if properly tensioned.

That's how correctly a rather noisy belt. If it seems to you that you prefer to entrust it to a professional, the AvtoTachki team offers belt adjustment and repair services.