How To Check For Serpentine Belt Alignment

Buddy67Lincoln · May 27, 2011

I have a 2006 Sierra 1500 4x4 with L33 5.3. I have a terrible squeek which I posted about a few days ago. I was told it may be from the belt being mis aligned. How do I check myself? I do have a laser level but not sure how it would be accurate so how does the garage do it? I took the belt off and there was some gunk buildup so I scrapped it off and checked the belt...looks good. I put the belt back on and its still squeeking loudly. I put a little more tension on the belt when it was running and she still made noise and even took a little off and it still made noise. Its the belt though since I sprayed windex and it shut up temporarily then came back screaming even louder. Thanks for any help.

greentourismo · May 27, 2011

Most shops have a laser setup that you can attach to a pulley...Well, some do anyways, most will just eyeball it and watch for the belt "walking" on the pulleys if one is out of alignment. You can also check for abnormal wear on the sides of the belt.

I have a 2006 Sierra 1500 4x4 with L33 5.3. I have a terrible squeek which I posted about a few days ago. I was told it may be from the belt being mis aligned. How do I check myself? I do have a laser level but not sure how it would be accurate so how does the garage do it? I took the belt off and there was some gunk buildup so I scrapped it off and checked the belt...looks good. I put the belt back on and its still squeeking loudly. I put a little more tension on the belt when it was running and she still made noise and even took a little off and it still made noise. Its the belt though since I sprayed windex and it shut up temporarily then came back screaming even louder. Thanks for any help.

98 Z71 SLT · May 27, 2011

You don't need to laser-align anything

Just replace the belt. Problem solved.

Rons05z71 · May 27, 2011

Try replacing the belt

Buddy67Lincoln · May 27, 2011

Thank you...I will start there with the belt...granted this will be number 5 for this truck within 50,000 miles. But I do believe the alignment is good, the belt edges are unworn. I cleaned the grooves in the pulleys as well with a fine screwdriver. I might clean them up some more before the new belt goes on. Thanks.

Fobroader · May 27, 2011

Use brake cleaner to clean the pulleys and a plastic scraper, if you scratch the pulleys it will eat belts like theres no tommorow. Where did all this "gunk" come from, if you crank seal is leaking or power steering pump or ac compressor than thats your problem.

Buddy67Lincoln · May 27, 2011

Thank you! I just cleaned the grooves easily using a tiny screw driver. The gunk could be front old belt dressing or it could be a fluid you mentioned. I do not think the power steering is low but it was in the past probably 3 years ago. The crank seal may leak I will have to look into it. Thanks for the tip.

Use brake cleaner to clean the pulleys and a plastic scraper, if you scratch the pulleys it will eat belts like theres no tommorow. Where did all this "gunk" come from, if you crank seal is leaking or power steering pump or ac compressor than thats your problem.