Squealer

My 02 belts don’t look worn or lose but every time I start the truck a belt squeals. When I turn a bit too sharp a belt squeals and not always but at least every 3rd time I turn on the a/c yep you guessed it, a belt squeals. Is there something happening I don’t know about this is my first Tacoma I drove a hardbody for 22 years so I’m totally lost.

 

If they look OK, find the culprit and tighten the belt first. Rule out the obvious. Even though they look tight some times they are not.

 

Thanks yes I will do that first I dread having to change all 3 but I have to if I can’t figure out which one it is

 

I had one doing that the other day. It was chirping when I started the truck up and it would last till it warmed up. I Found the culprit couple turns of the wrench later all good. If that doesn't work than look at pulleys and tensioners.

 

Will do thanks for your help

 

Start with the alternator belt or bearings. Mine did this, most annoying thing ever (besides the location of the cabin clock) because it was so hard to isolate. Replaced belts, same problem. Lived with it. A few months after I started getting funky voltages and charge issues, replaced alternator (still new-ish belts.) Still f'n squeaked on startup! When it was really cold, it would continue to squeak for 100 yards of driving or so.

I said screw all, this was going to drive me nuts so against my common sense I began tightening the alternator belt a few threads at a time. Eventually it went away and hasn't come back. I **thought** I had it tight to spec, but apparently not.

Disclaimer 1: Do this with caution, if you get it too tight for too long it will prematurely wear out the bearing. Just try snugging it up a little at a time to see if it starts to help.
Disclaimer #2: Get out your manual. There is a locking bolt, swivel bolt, and long adjustment bolt. If you don't loosen the two larger bolts first (locking/swivel) you risk bending or breaking the adjustment bolt. Lots of stories here about that.

If this doesn't do it, start looking at other components, least expensive first, like the AC idler pulley. Careful with that too, if not removed properly there are bolts that can break.

 

Only belt that squeals is alt belt...

Its only gonna squeal from worn belt....or loose belt.

If it doesn't appear loose......then pulleys and or HB is worn...

those being loose is only under power/pressure


Harmonic balancers have a finite life.....should be replaced every 150K or so
they're wearing out from pure age.....not just miles

you should replace idle pulley bearings every 100k or so.....whether they need it or not....

 

That sounds like a good plan I tightened it a little yesterday and it’s has started several times and ran fine without squealing. Still a squeal when turning too sharply and haven’t had need of the a/c today lol maybe tomorrow effing Florida weather

 

.. The belts are cheap... here are the part numbers for the 3.4 and online pricing (nov 2023):


Unless all your tensioners are rusted, this is one of the easier and cheaper jobs you can do.

 

A squeal or a groan? That's something else entirely (PS pump?) It's not unusual for them to complain when it's turned all the way to the stops but not just in a turn.

 

It’s a squeal very high pitched and you only have to turn the wheel all the way to either side for it to happen

 

When was the PS fluid last changed?

 

Haha good question I’ve only had the truck for a year so probably never as I’m finding stuff from factory still installed

 

Open the cap. You might see some nasty debris in there. Which will make it squeal. BTDT

 

this wasnt mentioned but check your harmonic balancer. do not over tighten your belts causing stress on your accessories and bearings.

i was diagnosing a squeal and tightening the belts didnt solve it. previous owner actually over tightened some belts which had me confused. after scratching my head and looking at the pulleys closely i saw the harmonic balancer would wobble under load and squeal especially on startup.

the pulley had separated from the rubber. this was the harmonic balancer on the 3rz. youll see problems like this on the 5vz as well.

 

Ok thanks for the info

 

I just looked at the fluid it isn’t as clean as new but I didn’t see any obvious issues like a lot discoloration or anything it was a tad bit low but we’ll see what happens thanks for your help

 

When you get that whine on hard turns....
either you're low on fluid........or debris screen is clogged up in bottom of PS reservoir
which is most likely

IF none of those work then maybe pump is failing



you watch levels over time to see if rack seals are starting to leak...

 

Is the screen hard to get to

 

Have to clean or buy the reservoir
Screen incorporated in reservoir

Not too bad of a job
Just get pwr steering res O-ring and 2 cans of brake cleaner/top off with ATF