Squealing Noise With A Twist

[OkieJoe]

My LJ was/is squealing. After reading through the numerous threads on this topic, I’ve learned a lot, but I still have an issue. This has been a problem since I’ve owned my LJ, but I’m finally carving out some time to address it along with some other issues. Here’s what I’ve done so far:
1) Removed the belt and started it. No squealing sound of any kind. It was a sweet sound not hearing the mind numbing squeal.
2) Replaced the belt tensioner
3) Replaced the stock idler pulley
4) Replaced the belt with the same size that was currently installed.

After the replacements, the squealing went away for a few days, but it slowly returned. Also, I can feel the power steering quit working for a second at various times. It mostly happens on pavement at slow speeds. It doesn’t happen consistently, but I can definitely feel it quit for a brief second.

Here’s the twist…My LJ has an Avenger Supercharger that was installed by the previous owner. I’m second guessing a few things related to the supercharger which are as follows:
1) Is the belt size correct? I cannot find any documentation about the supercharger. If anybody has one, I’d like to know what size belt is used. The one on mine is a 6K1031
2) Is the belt routed properly? See pic below of how mine is routed. The belt doesn’t have much contact with the power steering pulley which I think is why I loose power steering intermittently for short periods of time. I can see one other belt routing possibility, but the clearance would be close. I’m not actually sure if there is enough clearance for the cooling line.
3) Would a spacer behind the idler pulley for the supercharger help with the squealing? The idler pulley for the supercharger is not in line with the pulley for the supercharger. See pic below.

The squealing was pretty bad this morning. I pulled the belt off to check things again, and no squealing with the belt removed. I reinstalled the belt, and still no squealing noise except for a quick second when it feels like the power steering gives out. After I replaced the belt a couple of weeks ago, the squealing went away but slowly returned. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Here’s a pic showing the belt contact with the power steering pulley. Supercharger pulley is on top, idler pulley is in the middle, and the power steering pulley is on the bottom.

Here’s a pic showing the supercharger pulley and idler pulley. I think the idler pulley needs a spacer.

 

[JKP]

The wear from the belt is nearly centered on the idler, that's not your problem.

There's almost no belt contact on the pwr steering pulley, that's most likely the squealing as it slips and why you lose pwr steering.

No idea if that's the correct belt routing for that.

 

[TJ Jim]

Beat me to it. There is no where near enough contact on that pulley.

 

[KennethS]

Looks like the right side of the belt should go around the idler pulley.

 

[OkieJoe]

@JKP and @TJ Jim That’s what I thought about the power steering as well. @KennethS I agree with you, but the clearance getting back to the stock idler pulley is going to be close to miss the radiator hose. I’m also pretty sure that I’ll need a longer belt, but I’ll play around with it more this weekend.

 

[TJ Jim]

@JKP and @TJ Jim That’s what I thought about the power steering as well. @KennethS I agree with you, but the clearance getting back to the stock idler pulley is going to be close to miss the radiator hose. I’m also pretty sure that I’ll need a longer belt, but I’ll play around with it more this weekend.

Longer belt and a re-route.

 

[Rickyd]

@JKP and @TJ Jim That’s what I thought about the power steering as well. @KennethS I agree with you, but the clearance getting back to the stock idler pulley is going to be close to miss the radiator hose. I’m also pretty sure that I’ll need a longer belt, but I’ll play around with it more this weekend.

Instead of doing that look at the pics in this avenger sc thread. Looks like the belt is hitting both sides of the ps pulley

Thread 'Should I remove the supercharger or keep it?'

May 15, 2020

Hi Guys - A UK TJ Fanatic here (I have 3)

Just picked up a 35,000 miles 2006 4.0L which has an Eaton M90 Supercharger fitted, along with a ECU re-map, performance headers / exhaust etc. It runs great & is the best handling, fastest TJ I've ever driven (& Ive driven many)

I can't decide whether to keep this TJ or not - never had any experience with Superchargers so wouldn't know where to start if it needed work.

My Wife absolutely loves this TJ & wants it for her daily - it's in great condition & here in the UK a rare beast.

Idealy if we were keeping I'd like to be able to remove the...

• NYLONZ
• Replies: 29
• Forum: TJ General Discussion

 

[Rickyd]

Some more pics

"belt # 1037.. the supplied belt was 1033 and apparently does fit some.. just wouldn't work for me. "

 

[OkieJoe]

Instead of doing that look at the pics in this avenger sc thread. Looks like the belt is hitting both sides of the ps pulley

Thread 'Should I remove the supercharger or keep it?'

May 15, 2020

Hi Guys - A UK TJ Fanatic here (I have 3)

Just picked up a 35,000 miles 2006 4.0L which has an Eaton M90 Supercharger fitted, along with a ECU re-map, performance headers / exhaust etc. It runs great & is the best handling, fastest TJ I've ever driven (& Ive driven many)

I can't decide whether to keep this TJ or not - never had any experience with Superchargers so wouldn't know where to start if it needed work.

My Wife absolutely loves this TJ & wants it for her daily - it's in great condition & here in the UK a rare beast.

Idealy if we were keeping I'd like to be able to remove the...

• NYLONZ
• Replies: 29
• Forum: TJ General Discussion

The OP in that thread has the exact same setup as mine. It looks like our belts are routed the same. I don’t think that the belt is hitting both sides of the ps pulley. Mine kind of looks like it does also, but there’s a small gap between the pulley and belt. After reading through the thread, it sounds like the PS issue was a concern with the earlier version of the Avenger supercharger. I’m still going to play around with rerouting, but that thread has at least confirmed a couple of things for me. Thanks for sharing it.

ETA: Just now seeing the additional post with more pics. Thought things were making sense, but now I’m confused. The belt size in the pic says 1037. Mine is a 1031, and I have AC. In my mind, a longer belt would make things worse if everything is routed the same. Am I thinking correctly? I need to study the pics some more.

 

[Rickyd]

The OP in that thread has the exact same setup as mine. It looks like our belts are routed the same. I don’t think that the belt is hitting both sides of the ps pulley. Mine kind of looks like it does also, but there’s a small gap between the pulley and belt. After reading through the thread, it sounds like the PS issue was a concern with the earlier version of the Avenger supercharger. I’m still going to play around with rerouting, but that thread has at least confirmed a couple of things for me. Thanks for sharing it.

Look at the other pics,the last one in particular. It is indeed in contact with both sides. Also gives a pretty good idea of the rest of the routing

 

[Rickyd]

 

[OkieJoe]

Look at the other pics,the last one in particular. It is indeed in contact with both sides. Also gives a pretty good idea of the rest of the routing

You are correct. Pretty sure now that my belt is not routed correctly. What I’m having trouble visualizing is my AC pulley. I can’t tell how it’s routed in the pic that you provided. It looks like that one has AC as well. I completely understand your drawing, but I’ll have to figure it out with the AC. With the way mine is routed now, the AC pulley is what’s preventing the belt from making contact with the PS pulley on both sides. My old eyes are getting tired, but I’ll make a quick drawing of my setup tomorrow morning and get it posted. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Rickyd]

Oops.yeah,I meant to include that

 

[OkieJoe]

Oops.yeah,I meant to include that

View attachment 595143

After a good night of sleep and coffee back in my system, your drawing makes perfect sense. I’ll be heading to the parts store later today for a new belt. I’m confident that this will fix my issue. I’m starting to understand why folks look for a stock TJ when buying one. I’ll post an update later today with the new routing of the belt. The pics and drawings that you provided have helped tremendously!

 

[OkieJoe]

Quick update: My local parts store didn’t have a 1037 belt in stock. I’ve got one ordered, and it should be here Monday.

 

[Rickyd]

Quick update: My local parts store didn’t have a 1037 belt in stock. I’ve got one ordered, and it should be here Monday.

I recommend holding your tensioner at half travel somehow and running some string to get a length. Most parts stores have a rack to choose from? Hopefully the 1037 works out for ya!

 

[OkieJoe]

I recommend holding your tensioner at half travel somehow and running some string to get a length. Most parts stores have a rack to choose from? Hopefully the 1037 works out for ya!

I took your advice and measured… multiple times. The reason for the multiple measurements is because I kept coming up with a much shorter length than what the PO had installed which was a 1031. I was expecting to need a longer belt. Double and triple checked before I trusted my math. Ended up buying a 1025 and it works perfectly with the proper routing. The squealing sound is completely gone. Thanks again for all the help!

New belt with proper routing. It now makes good contact with the power steering pulley.

 

[Rickyd]

I took your advice and measured… multiple times. The reason for the multiple measurements is because I kept coming up with a much shorter length than what the PO had installed which was a 1031. I was expecting to need a longer belt. Double and triple checked before I trusted my math. Ended up buying a 1025 and it works perfectly with the proper routing. The squealing sound is completely gone. Thanks again for all the help!

New belt with proper routing. It now makes good contact with the power steering pulley.
View attachment 597882

glad you're up and running!

Burnout video for us or it didn't happen! (Jk)