blb Posted June 27, 2004 Report Share Posted June 27, 2004 I have a '94 STS with 53,000 miles and I started getting a sqeek from the engine at idle. I repacked the tensioner and idler pulleys with grease, but the squeek is still there. Using the ''hose to the ear'' method, it sure sounds like the a/c compressor front bearing is making noise. I need to take this car on a 1,500 mile in the next few weeks and need to get this taken care of now. I am having trouble finding someone who sells or rents the tool to pull and replace the hub assembly and am also having a hard time finding someone that sells just the bearing or just the hub assembly instead of the entire compressor. Question: Does the same tool remove and also install the hub assembly or do I need two special tools? Who sells or rents them? All local auto parts stores do not have it. Who sells the hub assembly or bearing? All local parts stores only want to sell the whole compressor. Anyone have any preference on which way is the best approach...replace just the bearing or the entire hub assembly? Is the job as straight forward as removing the front tire and splash shields, removing the serpintine belt, removing the c clip and nut on the compressor, then using a special tool to pull off the hub assembly? When replacing the nut when reinstalling the hub assembly, how tight should it be? Thanks in advance for your help with all of these questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blb Posted June 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 bttt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Just a thought, have you tried squirting a bit of water on the serpentine belt? The belt may be glazed or oily causing a squeeking noise, by slipping on the AC pulley. Usually this will become louder with th AC turned on. If so, try washing the belt off with a strong soultion of detergent. -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timokon@yahoo.com Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Or shoot a little belt dressing between the pulley and the belt. Usually a squeak or squeal is a belt issue, where as a whining noise is usually indicative of a bearing. Good luck, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blb Posted June 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Thanks for the replies. You are absolutely correct on this one. I went out and misted some water on the belt and the squeal became louder, and then went away all together. By the end of the day, the squeal was back, and misting water on the belt cured it again. That's a great (and inexpensive) diagnostic aid that I should have remembered from my younger days working on cars. Anyway, I will either clean or replace the belt and that should be the end of that issue. This belt (Gates) is 7 years old, but has less than 20,000 miles on it. BTW, just for kicks, I called the dealer to price out a new belt and they told me for applications for the '93, '94, and early '95 4.6L Northstars, the belt GM is now selling requires you to also buy an idler pulley. Apparently, GM is trying to cut down on the number of parts they have to stock and they don't carry the original length belt any longer, so you have to buy a different length belt and then swap out a different diameter idler pulley to make up the difference. I guess I will be buying the aftermarket Goodyear Gaterback if I go with a new belt. Thanks again for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted June 29, 2004 Report Share Posted June 29, 2004 Good it sounds like a much cheaper solution to your squeeking problem. I used a Gates on one of my STS's and it works just fine, I wouldn't worry about using a GM product here, especially if you are required to buy another part just to make there's work. With the belt off, you may want to scuff the idler and tensioner pulleys with a medium grit sandpaper; just to break the glaze on the smooth surfaces. If you do not have a manual showing the belt path, I would suggest sketching a diagram to help you get it back on, with minimal frustration. -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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