I have a 2005 XA and if the ac is on when I start my car there is this awful squealing. I recently replaced the serpentine belt and am in the process of trying to figure out what tools I need to replace the power steering belt. I got both belts from the dealer so they are good.

Does anyone know what the squealing could be?

 

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More than likely the belt doesn't have enough tension. You may have to loosen the alternator and then find something to put some tension on the alternator while you're tightening the bolt that goes through the bracket at the top.

As for the PS belt, since you'll need to adjust the alternator belt anyway, might as well go and take it off, then remove and replace the PS belt first.

 

After much research and a very detailed phone call to my dad we think that the serpentine just isnt tight enough. I do want to replace the PS but I just cant reach and it is in an aquard place. Does anyone know of a tool that can reach that lil bolt that I cant reach? Or what has worked for other people?

 

I have this same problem with my 2005 xA! It used to stop if I turned off the A/C, but now it is just squealing all the time. I was going to try replacing all the belts - I tried spraying with belt conditioner, but it's not getting any better; in fact it's worse. Sounds like I need to tighten the tension? Please help before I spend money replacing things that don't need to be replaced - thanks!!

 

Hey tabanowa,
So what I ended up doing was replacing the serpentine belt and the power steering belt. The sound is gone now and honestly it isnt that expensive. The serpentine you can do yourself if you want to learn, but the power steering belt is a little hard to get to so I had it done for me. I did go to the dealership and bought Scion parts but you can go to Auto Zone if you want to. The belts dont live forever (though I wish they did!) so its probably time to have them replaced.

Best of luck!

 

Thanks. I just came across a "troubleshooting belt noises" video and it says that belt dressing does NOT work and should never have been invented. Wish I had done my research before buying that product! Did you end up having to adjust the tension, or did the noise stop with just replacing both the serpentine and PS belts?

 

I just had to tighten my belt up the other day. For the bottom bolt on the alternator I used a 3/8 Craftsman socket and a 14mm. Anything bigger and even the torque wrench hit the frame rail. To get tension I used a pry bar against the corner of the head and used the torque wrench with a 12mm on top.
http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/xA_M...Mechanical.pdf