Squeal during Light Throttle

Recently I noticed a faint squeal coming from what sounds like the front of the truck. At first it was just while in 5th gear when I was very light footed on the throttle. After pressing the throttle a little more the squeal would stop. Mostly around (55 or 60). But today I noticed that it was fairly louder than the previous times and it was making the noise while I was light on the throttle in every gear. When you press the gas a little harder the noise goes away. I'm thinking that its a belt since it sounds like its coming from up front but I'm not really sure. 2002 Ext. Cab 4x4 V6 148k miles. Any ideas as to what this could be?

 

Belt, belt tension, idler pulley. I changed all of mine when I bought it as mine would lightly squeal from time to time.

 

I second that. Make sure the pivot bolts get loosened while you tighten your tensioners, then tighten everything back up.

If it does it when stopped ask a friend to poke their head under the hood. If not, just check belt tensions and give everything a little snug up

 

So this problem went away for a while w/out me doin got anything to it. But now tiday it started back doing it. Just during light throttle (5th gear especially). Do y'all still think it's a belt? If so which one is it that I need to adjust?

 

Mine was mostly in 5th gear as well. Start with he top idler pulley, loosen the centre nut and turn the horizontal bolt to tighten the belt a bit. If it still does it then try doing the lower one on the passengers side. I accessed mine from under the truck with some long extensions.

 

My 02 used to do the exact same thing! It started doing it and it did it for about a month then one day it quit and never done it since. I never did figure it out.

 

Yeah, belt or pulley. Temp changes can makes belts expand contract a bit to change how much they slip. Tighten up your belts a bit and see what happens

 

I've done 4 different timing belts on 3.4L engines. Each one had a dry A/C belt tensioner bearing. They were not burned out yet so repacking with grease fixed them right up.

 

Thanks for the "How To". I'll definitely tighten it up a bit and see if that works. Thanks!

 

I see you have a v6. I had a 2.7l 4 cylinder. Similar but idler pulleys are located in different spots. You'll see what to do once you look. Alternator belt is tightened by pivoting the alternator itself. In all cases you'll have a bolt to loosen then another bolt to make the adjustment. (Tighten)

 

Op if you need pictures I have a v6 I can go out and snap some in the daylight.

 

That'd be awesome. If you don't have time no worries. I'll figure it out haha

 

long shot...worn brake pad indicator makes a slight squeal. check pad width.

 

yep, i'll take some when i get home tonight.

 

I just replaced the brakes back in the summer so I know it's not the brakes.

 

alright, forgive the rustndust.



Power steering:

the two circled bolts will loosen the pump for adjustment (a turn or two, just so they're not tightened down hard) and then you'll have to reach around the back left side of the pump to get to the adjustment bolt head. The arrow should show you to that (that threaded bolt that the arrow is on is the adjuster...so, the head of that)

Alternator Pivot:

This bolt on top is the pivot, just loosen it a bit

Under the alternator:

you won't be able to see this when looking down, it's shot just under the alternator. you'll be able to feel it though. you'll need to loosen the bolt facing the camera (facing front of the truck) and then you'll tighten with the bolt head on the right.

how much are you tightening (righty-tighty) the adjusters? great question. maybe start with a half a bolt turn. once you get used to these it's really easy to get back to them. I kept a few wrenches in my truck after my belt job and would tweak if i heard a squeak.

once you tighten the adjuster, re-tighten the pivots and the slide nuts.

let me know if you have any questions! and let us know if this does it.

 

Awesome write up! Thanks so much. I'll give it a try when I get a spare minute or two this week. Thanks again!!