How do I know if my power-steering belt is bad?
A high pitched whining noise is one of the most obvious indicators that your power steering pump is the part that is failing. The grinding or squeaking noise that you will hear from a power steering belt is different from this kind of noise. The whining noise will only occur whenever you turn the wheel.
What is the function of an alternator pulley?
Pulleys are simply a means of transferring power. In the automotive pulley and belt system the power generated by the engine is transferred from the engine crankshaft pulley to the belt and then from the belt to the pulleys attached to various accessories such as the Alternator, Power Steering Pump,…
How does a serpentine belt power an alternator?
As this picture illustrates, a single serpentine belt will typically power all externally mounted accessories. Idler pulleys help with proper routing of the belt. Unlike individual belts, tension on a serpentine belt is provided by a tensioner pulley which is under constant spring pressure.
Why does an alternator belt need to be worn?
The other end of the pulley wraps around the crankshaft. Therefore, the crankshaft and alternator are able to rotate together by the alternator pulley. If you didn’t have this pulley, then the alternator would not be able to do its job. As you continue to drive your vehicle, the alternator belt gets a little bit more worn each day.
How is power transferred from the engine to the pulley?
In the automotive pulley and belt system the power generated by the engine is transferred from the engine crankshaft pulley to the belt and then from the belt to the pulleys attached to various accessories such as the Alternator, Power Steering Pump, Air Conditioning Compressor, Water Pump etc.
Pulleys are simply a means of transferring power. In the automotive pulley and belt system the power generated by the engine is transferred from the engine crankshaft pulley to the belt and then from the belt to the pulleys attached to various accessories such as the Alternator, Power Steering Pump,…
What kind of belt does an alternator use?
Most modern vehicles use only one belt to drive all the accessory pulleys. This is a wide belt that is flat on one side and has small “V” shaped ribs on the other side. Both the flat (smooth) side of the belt and the ribbed side can be used to drive pulleys.
In the automotive pulley and belt system the power generated by the engine is transferred from the engine crankshaft pulley to the belt and then from the belt to the pulleys attached to various accessories such as the Alternator, Power Steering Pump, Air Conditioning Compressor, Water Pump etc.
How do you relieve tension on an alternator belt?
If your vehicle does not have an auto-tensioner, you can still relieve the tension on the belt by loosening the bolts attaching the alternator to the engine. As you loosen the bolts, tilt the alternator forward to create slack in the belt.