sepentine belt woes

[kalvick]

Hey Guys,

I have a 2001 Mustang that got Steeda underdrive pullies installed about a year after I got it with the help of some friends. I have never had problems since.... until now. Recently the sepentine belt snapped which I chaulked up to dry rotting since i dont drive the car a hell of alot.

So I bought a new belt and installed it and everything was good for a day or so, then one of the ribs on the belt slipped off near the crank so instead of being on 6 ribs, now its on 5 ribs. I replaced the belt again thinking i did a faulty install and re installed it and double checked that the ribs where lining up properly on the belt. Everything was good for about 2 more days, then the belt slipped 1 rib length off the crank

now here are the only things I can think off, 1st there is something wrong with the underdrive crank pulley. which I find hard to believe seeing that its been fine for 4 years. the other is the belt its self, I bought 2 generic belts from autozone that where about 25 bucks, which i think is cheap for a belt but i am unsure.

is there a quality difference between belts? or should i just go to the dealer and pay hundreds of marked up dollars on a genuine ford serpentine belt or mabey a NAPA brand belt?

any suggestions?
thanks!

 

[SigmaPride]

Hmmm. I would look at my pulleys real good while running and make sure they do not look off at all(wobbling or anything). Also play with them all by hand with the belt off to make sure nothing is loose or off. Also make sure the tensioner is ok and the belt tension seems normal.

As far as a belt...a gatorback from AutoZone or summit racing online is the best you can do. If that slips off then something else is wrong. I just put one on and it works great...my motorcraft(brand new) was chirping.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Here is a good article on what type of belt to get: http://www.bullittarchive.com/html/modules/articles/article.php?id=81

I think the main problem is that one of you idler pullies is going bad. Remove the belt and check the idler pullies by spinning them with your hand. They should spin smooth and free with no wobble or grind... If they are bad they are only $15 at AutoZone and are very easy to change.