chevychic - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**swervin ervin** · 10-30-2002, 11:32 AM

Heather,

I seen you posted about your truck giving you problems. What's wrong? I haven't seen you post anything about it lately.

Spill the beans girl.

BTW, I'm not giving you a baseball bat. You might hurt somebody.

chevychic · 10-30-2002, 12:53 PM

Hey Mike!

Boy...where do I start???

Well, you know about the fight I've been having with the p/s belt squealing. I took your advice and went to a wider and higher quality belt. I also had someone take a look at it and say it was mis-aligned. After looking at it from his point of view...(about 6"-8" taller than my line of sight) I could see what he was talking about. So I grabbed some washers and started spacing it to get it in line with the other pulleys.
It actually stopped squealing for about 4 days. Then it starts up again. Very minimal at first, but after a few days it's now a constant squeal. It'll go away at higher rpm's only to come back again. With the weather getting colder and the air damper, I think it's added to my battle. I'm about ready to give up and take it in to someone, but I was really hoping to get it done myself.

Wait...there's more ....

The brake grabbing issue I was having a while back? Well, I took it in and it seems my rear axle seal is shot. Leaking fluid out the axle and into my rear brakes which now need replaced (just installed by the previous owner when I got the truck). You know I don't mess with brakes...and I'm so fed up right now I don't know if I want to mess with the rear seal. The shop is going to charge $187 to replace the seal and both rear brakes.

That's not all....

My steering is VERY loose. So loose, I don't like to drive on the freeway with it. Which kind of limits me in visiting any of my friends in another town. When I was replacing the P/S pump, I noticed that the steering gear moves up and down and shifts side to side as the wheels turn....not good. There's already been a support brace welded to the frame here. Upon further investigation, 3 of the 4 bolts holding the gear on are loose. So I tightened them real good. That tightened up my steering real good for a couple of days. Came loose again...tightened up the bolts AGAIN..this time with some locktite. Still loose steering. So loose, I can be driving down the road and my truck will start drifting towards the right...endangering any parked cars (or moving for that matter) when I try to straighten it out, it takes so long to respond that I've over corrected and now it's wandering to the left.

My starter is about shot, which I'm fixing. I've got a new one sitting at the parts store that I need to pick up. That'll be my weekend project.

If I could get these 4 things fixed, I'd be happy as a clam.

On top of all this, we're getting into some good wheeling weather and I really wanted to take it out and have a bit of fun. But it looks like I'm going to have to wait and I'm not a very patient person.

**swervin ervin** · 10-30-2002, 03:00 PM

Heather,

bummer for sure. Things like this pop up all the time with our trucks. After all it is 17 years old. Don't get down in the dumps about it. I can only imagine how you feel. It's tough to have to pay someone to fix something. I guess most of us guys are lucky in this sense.

Best advice I can give you is fix one thing at a time. I know it sounds corny, but it's true. I would come out there and fix it for you if it wasn't so far to drive.

I am guessing your pulley is causing the squeal if the belts didn't stop it, or it's a bad pump.

The bolts on the gear box loosening up is not a good sign. Something is putting a big strain on it. It does sound as though the box may be bad, but I've never heard of the bolts backing out because of it.

The axle seal and rear brakes, well you know your options there. The starter I know you can handle.

Hang tough and keep your chin up. You will make it for sure.

Mike

LOHRTBT · 10-30-2002, 03:11 PM

Heather....your truck is crying since you punish it with your heavy foot!! lol...

HOpe you get it fixed soon!

79BIG10 · 10-30-2002, 03:37 PM

Heather hate to hear the bad luck. I would look into a brace for the steering gear. The 4x4 version of our trucks have been known to give the steering componets trouble. I think JC Whitney may sell them if not try some 4x4 sites. I know they make them. I'll see if I can some.

79BIG10 · 10-30-2002, 03:49 PM

Heather try here http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

chevychic · 10-30-2002, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

Mike, I don't think it could be the pump or the pulley as both are brand new. Although I know pumps can be bad right off the bat. I'm hoping that's not the case. Is it possible it could be one of the other pulleys that the belt is on? Although it seems that it would constantly squeal if it was. I can make it stop for a day if I tighten the belt or mess with it.

One thing about the bolts on the steering gear that I forgot to mention is that they are REALLY short. The edge of the nut is even with the end of the bolt when it's tightened up. I'm thinking of trying some slightly longer bolts with some lock washers and seeing if that helps some until I can have it looked at.

I've known for a while that I had some things that needed repair as I could get to them, but lately it seems that they're all needing to be done at the same time. That's not good on my check book.

Brandon, Thanks for the link. I was able to verify that I do have the weld kit, but not the brace. I'm gonna need to get one of those.

Dave, Hey! Who do you have hired to watch me!! lol
Me?? A lead foot? NEVER!!! :p Well...sometimes.

Okay...ALL the time

*1FaastC10* · 10-31-2002, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOHRTBT
your truck is crying since you punish it with your heavy foot!!

geez Dave, with you its ALWAYS about feet!

79BIG10 · 10-31-2002, 02:15 AM

LMAO Jeremy!!!

Slonaker · 10-31-2002, 03:08 PM

Heather:

I once had a similar problem with belt squeal on a car. Everything I did made it stop squealing for a day or two at best. It turned out that all of the pulleys were polished and slick from past slipping. I took each pulley that belt was used on and roughed up the entire circumfrence with coarse sandpaper. It never squealed again.

Slonaker

BigRed · 10-31-2002, 03:49 PM

Slonaker, that's a good point. Residue can get on the pulleys causing them not to grip like they should. Also, you need to clean the pulleys anyway, to rule out any oil or anything else foreign being on them.

chevychic · 10-31-2002, 04:23 PM

hmmmm.....I'll give that a try this weekend.

Now, stupid question time:
Do I need to remove the pulleys to do this or can I just remove the belts and do this while the pulleys are still on the truck?
If I need to remove the pulleys, how do I do this?

Slonaker · 10-31-2002, 07:07 PM

No, you can clean them up while they are still on the vehicle. Just make sure that the pulleys are clean, and not polished looking inside the grooves. The one I was talking about looked like glass! If the pulleys are oily, you should fix whatever caused it, and probably start with a fresh belt.

I hope it works....

Slonaker

Bowed · 10-31-2002, 10:46 PM

Heather are you sure you were given the right belt and the "V" matches the pullys correctly for full contact ? Also the bolts loosening on the steering box would really get my attention . For the time being until you figure out what is causing the box to keep comming loose , how about installing a couple of safety bolts so they can not loosen up on you . If you can not find any you can make a couple by getting longer bolts and drilling a small hole after the nut to allow a cotter pin to slip on and keep the nut from backing down the thread. You will probably need a drill press to drill them properly. Dont forget the lock washers , you need them on a steering box and torque the nuts down to spec. good luck CC ..

10-30-2002, 11:32 AM	#1
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	chevychic Heather, I seen you posted about your truck giving you problems. What's wrong? I haven't seen you post anything about it lately. Spill the beans girl. BTW, I'm not giving you a baseball bat. You might hurt somebody. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

10-30-2002, 12:53 PM	#2
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	Hey Mike! Boy...where do I start??? Well, you know about the fight I've been having with the p/s belt squealing. I took your advice and went to a wider and higher quality belt. I also had someone take a look at it and say it was mis-aligned. After looking at it from his point of view...(about 6"-8" taller than my line of sight) I could see what he was talking about. So I grabbed some washers and started spacing it to get it in line with the other pulleys. It actually stopped squealing for about 4 days. Then it starts up again. Very minimal at first, but after a few days it's now a constant squeal. It'll go away at higher rpm's only to come back again. With the weather getting colder and the air damper, I think it's added to my battle. I'm about ready to give up and take it in to someone, but I was really hoping to get it done myself. Wait...there's more .... The brake grabbing issue I was having a while back? Well, I took it in and it seems my rear axle seal is shot. Leaking fluid out the axle and into my rear brakes which now need replaced (just installed by the previous owner when I got the truck). You know I don't mess with brakes...and I'm so fed up right now I don't know if I want to mess with the rear seal. The shop is going to charge $187 to replace the seal and both rear brakes. That's not all.... My steering is VERY loose. So loose, I don't like to drive on the freeway with it. Which kind of limits me in visiting any of my friends in another town. When I was replacing the P/S pump, I noticed that the steering gear moves up and down and shifts side to side as the wheels turn....not good. There's already been a support brace welded to the frame here. Upon further investigation, 3 of the 4 bolts holding the gear on are loose. So I tightened them real good. That tightened up my steering real good for a couple of days. Came loose again...tightened up the bolts AGAIN..this time with some locktite. Still loose steering. So loose, I can be driving down the road and my truck will start drifting towards the right...endangering any parked cars (or moving for that matter) when I try to straighten it out, it takes so long to respond that I've over corrected and now it's wandering to the left. My starter is about shot, which I'm fixing. I've got a new one sitting at the parts store that I need to pick up. That'll be my weekend project. If I could get these 4 things fixed, I'd be happy as a clam. On top of all this, we're getting into some good wheeling weather and I really wanted to take it out and have a bit of fun. But it looks like I'm going to have to wait and I'm not a very patient person. __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin

10-30-2002, 03:11 PM	#4
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	Heather....your truck is crying since you punish it with your heavy foot!! lol... HOpe you get it fixed soon! __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

10-30-2002, 03:37 PM	#5
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Heather hate to hear the bad luck. I would look into a brace for the steering gear. The 4x4 version of our trucks have been known to give the steering componets trouble. I think JC Whitney may sell them if not try some 4x4 sites. I know they make them. I'll see if I can some. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

10-30-2002, 03:49 PM	#6
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Heather try here http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

10-30-2002, 03:00 PM	#3
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Heather, bummer for sure. Things like this pop up all the time with our trucks. After all it is 17 years old. Don't get down in the dumps about it. I can only imagine how you feel. It's tough to have to pay someone to fix something. I guess most of us guys are lucky in this sense. Best advice I can give you is fix one thing at a time. I know it sounds corny, but it's true. I would come out there and fix it for you if it wasn't so far to drive. I am guessing your pulley is causing the squeal if the belts didn't stop it, or it's a bad pump. The bolts on the gear box loosening up is not a good sign. Something is putting a big strain on it. It does sound as though the box may be bad, but I've never heard of the bolts backing out because of it. The axle seal and rear brakes, well you know your options there. The starter I know you can handle. Hang tough and keep your chin up. You will make it for sure. Mike

10-30-2002, 10:07 PM	#7
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	Thanks for the encouragement guys! Mike, I don't think it could be the pump or the pulley as both are brand new. Although I know pumps can be bad right off the bat. I'm hoping that's not the case. Is it possible it could be one of the other pulleys that the belt is on? Although it seems that it would constantly squeal if it was. I can make it stop for a day if I tighten the belt or mess with it. One thing about the bolts on the steering gear that I forgot to mention is that they are REALLY short. The edge of the nut is even with the end of the bolt when it's tightened up. I'm thinking of trying some slightly longer bolts with some lock washers and seeing if that helps some until I can have it looked at. I've known for a while that I had some things that needed repair as I could get to them, but lately it seems that they're all needing to be done at the same time. That's not good on my check book. Brandon, Thanks for the link. I was able to verify that I do have the weld kit, but not the brace. I'm gonna need to get one of those. Dave, Hey! Who do you have hired to watch me!! lol Me?? A lead foot? NEVER!!! :p Well...sometimes. Okay...ALL the time __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin

10-31-2002, 02:15 AM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	LMAO Jeremy!!! __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

10-31-2002, 03:08 PM	#10
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Heather: I once had a similar problem with belt squeal on a car. Everything I did made it stop squealing for a day or two at best. It turned out that all of the pulleys were polished and slick from past slipping. I took each pulley that belt was used on and roughed up the entire circumfrence with coarse sandpaper. It never squealed again. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

10-31-2002, 03:49 PM	#11
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	Slonaker, that's a good point. Residue can get on the pulleys causing them not to grip like they should. Also, you need to clean the pulleys anyway, to rule out any oil or anything else foreign being on them. __________________ Scott Shelbourne

10-31-2002, 04:23 PM	#12
chevychic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,061	hmmmm.....I'll give that a try this weekend. Now, stupid question time: Do I need to remove the pulleys to do this or can I just remove the belts and do this while the pulleys are still on the truck? If I need to remove the pulleys, how do I do this? __________________ *ChevyChic* 86 Chevy K-10 If I can't be a good example, then I'll just have to be a horrible warning. "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Christopher Robin

10-31-2002, 07:07 PM	#13
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	No, you can clean them up while they are still on the vehicle. Just make sure that the pulleys are clean, and not polished looking inside the grooves. The one I was talking about looked like glass! If the pulleys are oily, you should fix whatever caused it, and probably start with a fresh belt. I hope it works.... Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

10-31-2002, 10:46 PM	#14
Bowed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: where it's hot Posts: 1,059	Heather are you sure you were given the right belt and the "V" matches the pullys correctly for full contact ? Also the bolts loosening on the steering box would really get my attention . For the time being until you figure out what is causing the box to keep comming loose , how about installing a couple of safety bolts so they can not loosen up on you . If you can not find any you can make a couple by getting longer bolts and drilling a small hole after the nut to allow a cotter pin to slip on and keep the nut from backing down the thread. You will probably need a drill press to drill them properly. Dont forget the lock washers , you need them on a steering box and torque the nuts down to spec. good luck CC .. Last edited by Bowed; 10-31-2002 at 11:03 PM.



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