1998 Ford Windstar squealing/chirping

1998 FORD WINDSTAR
132,000 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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WINGSHIP1717
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Had the power steering pump go out, replaced power steering pump,idler pulley and tensioner. Car made squealing sound so had alternator tested and it was bad. Replaced alternator but still hearing the squealing. Sound doesn't happen in idle but when I accelerate sound gets much louder. Could I have missed something with the installation of any of these parts I replaced? Thank you for any help you can offer.
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:28 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
If the belt is staying under proper tension, there is a pulley that is turned or tipped. That can be due to a component that isn't mounted squarely or a component with a worn bearing. That makes the belt slide across that pulley or the one right after it as it goes around it. If you can get your head in there, sight down along all the pulleys and look for one where the edge of the belt is peeking out as little as 1/16" compared to where it goes around all the other pulleys.
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:13 PM
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