Squeaky sound from under the hood in the mornings, and mornings only. no cat, squirrel, or chipmunk jumping out... Rather, It seems to be the PS belt because when steering first time out of the driveway is when the screeching is the loudest. Goes away after warm up.

Yet to accurately measure the belt tension, but quick look didn't see anything too loose there.

Is it just a belt, or is PS pump going to die on me?

Is there a simple remedy to the noise? Soap on the belt?

 

Any hints on belt replacement job? Is belt expensive? I tried to search on-line, but only found an AC/alternator belt, which was about $12.

 

Thanks,

-Michael

It sounds like just the belt. I'd suggest getting a new belt. Shouldn't be more than $10-$20 at the most.

It is an ez install, since the belts are at the front of the engine.

Are the two belts - the one that drives AC and the one that drives PS pump the same?

The alternator belt drives the PS as well. AC belt should be separate.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Are these two belts the same length and type?

Can they be interchanged?

I don't believe they are the same no. Pretty sure one of them is a tooth wider.

dealer should sell both belts as a set. I've had the squeel in the mornings (winter only) for a couple years, I also have a Perrin crank pulley. I just think of it as a part of life. like when when a plane's tires hit the ground. could be PS pump bearing-but I doubt it.

Well, it does correlate with cold mornings.. What's Perrin crank pulley?

This summer when the dealer did a headgasket job, I thought they'd replaced the belts also.

Perrin is a performance after market parts manufacturer.

http://www.customcarscentral.com/prnpspeng100-subaru-wrx-sti.html