1. Is the part under the alternator (not sure what it’s called) supposed to be wiggling like that?
2. I sprayed the belt with WD-40 and the noise remained. I believe I replaced the belt about 3 years ago.
Serpentine belt noise or pulley?
- Thread starter DropTopDon
- Start date
1. Is the part under the alternator (not sure what it’s called) supposed to be wiggling like that?
2. I sprayed the belt with WD-40 and the noise remained. I believe I replaced the belt about 3 years ago.
That’s your tensioner pulley and it shouldn’t be moving. Very well could be the squeak. I had a squeal awhile back and decided to change the belt, idler pulley and tensioner at the same time. While I don’t advocate just throwing parts at your Jeep to fix it, I went this route because it was cheap and took about an hour from start to finish. Squeal was gone after. Replace the pulleys with genuine Mopar
Vtx531
TJ Addict
Take the belt off (very easy - like 15 seconds) and spin the tensioner pulley and the idler pulley. Should be easy to feel/hear if either one is bad. I am replacing my stock original tensioner now at 20 years and 138,000miles. Mine sounds like a constant whirring/jet engine that changes pitch with engine speed.
I got off-brand to save money and since it is very easy to replace but Mopar would be ideal.
I got off-brand to save money and since it is very easy to replace but Mopar would be ideal.
This is a good tool for finding those type of noises:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQYSM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The tensioner will move slightly when loads change to the belt from AC, PS, etc.. That looks normal.
Here is a good thread for your issue:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-serpentine-belt-for-2006-tj.56098/
The parts I bought (with GATES numbers)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2SGHA/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2YAJI/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQYSM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
The tensioner will move slightly when loads change to the belt from AC, PS, etc.. That looks normal.
Here is a good thread for your issue:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-serpentine-belt-for-2006-tj.56098/
The parts I bought (with GATES numbers)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2SGHA/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2YAJI/?tag=wranglerorg-20
OP
Does anyone know what pulley is attached to the tensioner?I took the belt off and this is the only pulley which makes a weird noise when it’s spinned. I purchased the gates 38043 but it appears to be different then the pulley on there.
Vtx531
TJ Addict
I broke my tensioner when I tried to remove it to change the pulley. You might want to attempt removal now just in case you break it like I did and need to order an entire tensioner instead of just the pulley.
OP
I DD my TJ and i saw people often broke their tensioners when removing them so I just put it back together for now. My tensioner also felt pretty stuck on there and I’d rather not break it now and be without a vehicle until the new one comes. Would pb blaster help at all or is that more beneficial for threaded studs etc.
I think the correct gates part is 38018 and I'd replace the whole thing. The tensioner is supposed to be replaced every once and awhile and a worn pulley means it's pretty old. Rockauto has a few options of the whole thing and just the pulley. I think Gates 38043 is the idler pulley so it might work there, they just have their parts interchange numbers screwed up.
OP
Thank you, I’ll just replace the whole thing. Do you have any advice on getting the tensioner out without breaking it?
If you removed the center bolt it's just stuck on the block. Give it a good whack on the part right next to the block and it should break free.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C2YAOS/?tag=wranglerorg-20
May be this one, it is on my 2000. Double check the number for your year to be sure. It is actually easier to replace the whole unit and you know it is keeping proper tension when done.
Exactly. Sometimes they can put up a fight too. Just don’t whack it so hard that you break off one of the locator pins.
Vtx531
TJ Addict
This is what I did. I had to remove the bracket and drill one of them out. (the bigger one) Aluminum drills easily though.
Are the pins supposed to fit tightly in the bracket? Mine are loose fitting.
Mine are loose, I think that's normal based on the shape of everything.
Vtx531
TJ Addict
Pantera99
TJ Enthusiast
Hey all, I know this is a thread resurrection but I'm getting alot of squeaking noises too. Do you guys recommend the Mopar belt tensioner/idler pulley or is the Gates brand sufficient? Thanks!