squeaky belts...??????

[joshwood]

i have a 1968 mustang with a 289, power brakes, steering and A/C. and well it squeaks really bad... its louder than car itself... and i was wondering the best way to fix this... and i know you people are smart and alot more experienced at this stuff than me!
any help would be great!
thanks.

 

[latamud]

There's a stop squeak spray at local autozone/advance etc. Comes in an orange can. Or, tighten up your belts, or replace them if worn. You probably have two belts, and you should be able to tell if its both squealing.

 

[tx65coupe]

I would try replacing the belts, if you haven't already. They might just be a little loose. I have heard that that spray stuff causes the belts to deteriorate and be more prone to squeeking as time goes on. I do not know if that is true or not.

 

[fordmach70]

The first thing I would do is check belt alignment/tension. Next I would check and see if something is getting on belts like antifreeze, engine oil, power steering oil, ect. Once you have corrected/checked these issues you may need to clean or replace belts if the are/where damaged by overheating (from squealing). One simple way to clean belts is to take a bar of soap and while motor is running lightly touch soap to back of belt and let it burn a small groove in bar of soap. I have used this method many times over the years and it works well. You must use common sense while doing this or you WILL loose a finger or two.

 

[yeloxr7]

A little shpritz of WD-40 will break up any glaze on the belts/pulleys that can cause squeaking. It will not make the belts slip and will not harm them.

I was skeptical of this when first suggested to me but a good friend demonstrated it several years ago. Just a little, CAREFULLY sprayed on the belts while the engine is running, will make the squeak go away.

Make sure the belts are adjusted properly and lined up first.

 

[joshwood]

i can tell that 2 of the belts are loose. they moved alot when i touch and pull on them. and when the engine is running they move sideways .
and if any one can help me with tightening or removing the belts that would be awesome!. i've never done it on this car before, and i dont wanna mess it up .

 

[mustangman1974]

get a manual. There are a few places online you can purchase pdf manuals. But I always get several paper. One for the house and one to get greaseee in the garage. The one I learned our of first was a hayes mustang manual. Chilton is not to bad. ITs alot easier with 2 people one to lossen and tighten the bolts, and the other to move the alternator, pump, or compressor. If you look inthe book it will dell you the deflection you need to tighten the belts too.

I never use that, because by myself I could never hold it tight enough to over tighten the belts.

 

[rmorrell]

I've tried the spray stuff. It helps to determine which belt is squeaking. When the fluid hits it, squeak gone. But it will be back. If you buy new belts, get good ones, the ones with a small tooth cut into the belt spaced about every 1/4". This helps the belt flex and conform to the pulley.

The belts on my '67 are not in good alignment. If it were squeaking I would tend to say "theres the problem" but no squeaks. So I think some amount of mis-alignment can be tolerated.

I hate to say it but when it comes to replacing belts, buy the good stuff.

Richard

 

[zookeeper]

The Gates belts I bought for my fastback howled like a Banshee. Can't get much better than Gates, and the old, worn and cracked belts I replaced didn't squeek. They were properly adjusted and aligned as well. So I gave in, gave it a shot of WD-40 and they haven't squeeked since.