Accessory Drive Belt Chirp or Squeal Noise (Align Pulleys, Install New Belt)

Some owners may comment on a belt chirp/squeal noise. The noise will be loudest on the right side (A/C Power Steering belt) of the engine. Upon investigation with chassis ears, the technician may locate the source of the noise to be the A/C Power Steering belt tensioner.

The A/C compressor and power steering pump may be slightly misaligned causing the belt to abnormally load the tensioner and create the noise. The tensioner is not the source of the concern and should not to be replaced. The noise may be eliminated when the tensioner is replaced, but it will return in a short amount of time.

The A/C compressor and Power Steering pump bracket should be aligned to relieve the loading of the belt tensioner and a new power steering belt should be installed. Use the following procedure to correct the misalignment condition.

1. Remove Engine Sight Shield.
2. Remove Primary Accessory drive belt from tensioner pulley.
3. Reclaim A/C system refrigerant.
4. Drain fluid from the Power Steering reservoir.
5. Disconnect hoses from reservoir. Plug hoses.
6. Do not pull on reservoir until hoses are removed.
7. Remove Power Steering reservoir from bracket.
8. Remove Power Steering reservoir bracket
9. Remove Power Steering/A/C compressor belt.
10. Remove Power Steering pulley.

Pulley removal tool - Kent Moore J-25034-C.

11. Remove Power Steering Pump bolts.
12. Lift vehicle and remove primary accessory drive belt.
13. Remove both front wheels.
14. Install support under engine cradle.
15. Compress transverse spring.

Traverse Spring Compressor - Kent Moore J-33432.

16. Remove right side engine cradle nuts.
17. Loosen left side engine cradle nuts.
18. Lower front engine cradle.

This is done for additional clearance.

19. Remove Power Steering -A/C belt tensioner bolts and tensioner.
20. Remove Power Steering-A/C belt .

This belt will not be re-installed.

21. Disconnect Power Steering discharge line from pump. Tie wrap for appropriate clearance.
22. Disconnect A/C lines from compressor. Tie wrap for appropriate clearance.
23. Remove Power Steering pump.
24. Disconnect electrical connectors from A/C compressor.
25. Remove A/C compressor bolts and remove compressor.

Pry cradle as needed to get compressor out of engine compartment.

26. Loosen 4 compressor/Power Steering bracket bolts, leaving them just snug enough to move the bracket within the bolt to hole clearances.
27. Rotate compressor/Power Steering bracket clockwise by pulling the top Power Steering attachment toward the front of the vehicle by hand.
28. While holding the bracket in the above position, tighten the bracket bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bracket bolts to 50N·m(37 lb ft).

29. Install A/C compressor and snug bolts so it can be rotated within the bolt to hole clearances.
30. Connect electrical connectors to the A/C compressor.
31. Rotate the compressor counterclockwise by prying upward on the compressor pulley.

Excessive force is not necessary. Use a plastic or soft pry tool. A rag on a pry bar is acceptable.

32. While holding the compressor in the above position, tighten the compressor mounting bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the compressor mounting bolts to 50N·m(37 lb ft).

33. Install Power Steering pump to proper location and hand tighten bolts.
34. Install Power Steering discharge line and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten the discharge line to 28N·m (21 lb ft).

35. Install A/C compressor hose block fitting and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten the fitting to 20N·m(15 lb ft).

36. Place new Power Steering-A/C belt.
37. Install Power Steering-A/C belt tensioner and bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 25N·m(18 lb ft).

38. Raise engine cradle.
39. Install right side engine cradle nuts and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten all engine cradle nuts to 110 N·m(81 lb ft).

40. Decompress transverse spring and remove compression tool (Kent Moore J-33432).
41. Remove support from engine cradle.
42. Install front wheels.
43. Route primary accessory drive belt.
44. Lower vehicle.
45. Install primary accessory drive belt on tensioner.

Tighten
Tighten the Power Steering mounting bolts to 25N·m(18 lb ft).

46. Install Power Steering pulley.

Pulley should be installed within 0.25 mm of flush with end of Power Steering pump shaft (visual inspection is acceptable).

Pulley installation tool - Kent Moore J-25033-C.

47. Install new Power Steering-A/C belt on tensioner.
48. Install Power Steering reservoir bracket and tighten.

Tighten
Tighten the bracket to 10N·m(7 lb ft).

Important: The reservoir hoses must be routed rear of the radiator hose routing.

Important: The Power Steering hoses must not be twisted or kinked upon re-install.

49. Install Power Steering reservoir hoses to reservoir.
50. Install Power Steering reservoir to Power Steering Reservoir bracket.
51. Evacuate and recharge A/C system with 1.4 lb R-134a 55. Refill Power Steering system using Power Steering vacuum and fill procedures in SI.
52. Clean up lubricants from frame, engine and pulleys using an appropriate cleaner solvent.
53. Start engine and check for proper belt operation.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

*This Labor Operation will not be published in the Labor Time Guide and is for bulletin use only.