A/C belt squeal?!?!?!

[spinz71]

Got an issue with what I hope is belt squeal and nothing else. A couple of weeks ago my crank pulley came off ( don't ask! ) along with both my belts. Drove it about 50 yds and parked it. Put the pulley back on and drove it home. Couple of days ago after the truck had been sitting for the day, I fired it up. Started out and turned the A/C on. Got a horrible squeal. Turned A/C off. Squeal stopped. Turned A/C back on and no squeal. This a.m., I start the truck, get going and I get a small squeal for about half a second BEFORE I turn the A/C on.

OK, I figure that its one of three things....either the A/C clutch/compressor, belt or tensioner. The belt had some damage to it from the "jump" but nothing I'd say required it being replaced immediately. I did torque the tensioner to the stop to get the belt back on but nothing dramatic. All of the belts and pulleys looked to be lined up and the A/C works as good as ever with correct presures on both sides.

I am thinking that when the belt was in the process of "jumping" that it torqued the tensioner pulley and maybe fried the bearings if there are any. Is there a way to check that? Take the belt off and check the pulley for play? Can I spray some lube on the pulley to see if that affects it? Anyone got a tensioner they aren't needing?

Or...could the belt have gotten screwed up size-wise in the jump? I always though belt squeal came from either bad tensioner or too big a belt that's slipping. Am I right about that?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[NITROUS]

Just pull the belt off and turn the pulley to make sure it spins free and there's no grinding or rubbing noise heard or felt. If there's no excessive axial or radial movement you should be ok. Also, If the tensioner got tweaked, there's a chance the spring could be binding or twisted to where it's not keeping the belt tight.

[spinz71]

I determined that belts have semi-catostrophic failure without many visible warning signs. Pulled out this afternoon had a slight squeal for half a second then a harsh one for another half second. Then no more cold air. Checked the belts when I was filling up and it was broke and split. Rode home with no A/C...its hot out there today. Will check the tensioner to make sure everything is kosher. Thanks Nitrous.