Astra Belt Squeal

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Mon 27 Sep 2004 14:10
Astra Belt Squeal - Peter D
Vauxhall Astra 1.4 82PS engine 1994. This car has started eating alternator belts. It’s a standard V pulley type but if the guy just nominally tightens the belt it squeals with the slightest of loads, even sidelights at low revs it squeals. If he gets a good tension in the belt it either sheds the rubber os shreds the belt completely. Both pulleys appear ok and he has de-glazed the surface and he is using the correct Vauxhall belt but the belt is either wrecked or is throws off in 6 weeks. Any ideas what is going on here. He has checked the alternator bearings, the pulleys and tried an alternative make of belt. Regards Peter
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Mon 27 Sep 2004 14:18
Astra Belt Squeal - Number_Cruncher
Hi Peter,

A few things spring to mind

1) Are the alternator mountings ok. If they have perished, the pulley may be out of line - test with a straight edge

2) This one is unlikely - but if the pulley has worn, the belt may be being driven on its base, rather than on the tapered sides. This will give you little grip, and lots of squealing!

3) Make sure all the pulleys run true - i.e. concentric to the shaft.


number_cruncher

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Tue 28 Sep 2004 11:01
Astra Belt Squeal - Ross_D
A friend of mine has this problem and after some head scratching its turned out to be 2) above. The alternator pulley had worn and so the belt had \'dropped\' into the pulley. Easy solution; we went to the local scrappy and looked at all the pullies on all the Vauxhalls! Most had very worn pulleys (Common problem?) but we found one in the end with hardly any wear. You have to lock the armature in the alt with a large screwdriver to undo the pulley nut. The pulley should then slide off the shaft. (Its in two parts.)
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Tue 28 Sep 2004 13:38
Astra Belt Squeal - Dynamic Dave
Peter,

Not sure if the latter part of this thread is of any help to you or not?

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=17422
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Tue 28 Sep 2004 23:59
Astra Belt Squeal - defender
The easiest option would be to fit a wider belt,your local belt /bearing stockist will measure your old belt and probably supply at a cheaper price than the dealer ,it does sound like it is running on its face rather than the sides
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