I have an '02 Silverado, 202,000 miles, 5.3l. Few months ago the drive belt slipped off and shredded the belt. I chalked it up to a bad tensioner and replaced it. For the last month, I'm noticing that when I start the engine, the belt kicks off the crankshaft pulley by one rib. I took a straight edge to check the alignment between the power steering pump and crank shaft pulley and noticed that the PSP is about one rib forward of the crankshaft pulley.
I took my PSP installer to see if it needed tightening, but it didn't feel like it could be any more secure.
I'd appreciate any thoughts here. I've gone through a number of tensioners, replaced the alternator (for separate reason), but it keeps jumping. I've wondered whether it would run just fine with one rib off, especially if the fix is a lot more trouble, but I would be thrilled to hear what the group thinks.
Thanks!
It could have been knocked outta whack when the belt broke. Bent the mounting bracket. Or the pump could be worn and going bad. If you grab the pulley is there any back and forth play?
Thanks for your thoughts! The pulley does move a bit when I pull it back and forth. I'm not sure if it's one of those things where any amount is bad, but based on the feel, it moves about the width of a coin or two...enough that I can feel and hear it, but nothing dramatic.
It’s not supposed to move. And that’s what’s causing you to be off by 1 rib. You need a new PSP
Thanks, I appreciate it. Can just the pulley be replaced, or the whole pump?
If it’s moving then it’s the shaft, which means whole pump usually. Get a new one, not a remanufactured one or you will be replacing it again in a year or two.
That explains why this is the second pump I'm putting on in two years -- thanks!
There used to be more forgiveness when it used to be v-belts because the pulley etc were not as precision built in the past.. Serpentine belts don't like to be off 1 rib, not as forgiving. That movement, the width of a coin or two is you being off by 1 rib.
Good to know -- thanks!