5.0GL-H pulley alignment

[bmies]

I've been trying to diagnose belt squeal on my 2007 Larson with a 5.0GL-H, have yet to find a solution, and would very much appreciate your help.

So, belt squeals at any rpm, changes tone with rpm, and is relieved instantly, for a moment, by a tiny squirt of belt dressing on the leading side of the power steering pulley (the top of the pulley).

Of course, I replaced the belt thinking previous attempts with belt dressing ruined the belt. I also replaced the impeller to eliminate that possibility and as a maintenance item. Also have gone through each pulley cleaning grooves, checking for smooth rotation, side to side play, axial play, and any bent pulleys...everything is good. Alternator is working nicely. Tensioner does its thing without binding, has smooth rotation, and has plenty of spring.

The power steering pulley appears to be about 1/8" towards the bow in comparison to the other pulleys and is slightly tilted in comparison. The belt appears to 'bend' slightly upon contacting the pulley. Could this be the cause of the squeal as the slip angle between belt groove and pulley groove is too great? Has anyone had to replace the block to pump bracket or adjusted this alignment via spacers? Is this a common problem that would result in my symptoms?

Thanks for any help. Listening to belt squeal drives me nuts as does the thought of eating away at the new belt.

 

[doyall]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

I had the same exact symptoms on my 2007 5.0 GXi-G. The squeal is quite annoying. It was ultimately cured by shimming behind the power steering pump bracket. Took three attempts to find a washer that was just the right thickness. It was real frustrating in that the bolt that needed the shim had limited space in which to work and it had to be done 'blind' using only two fingers on each hand.

There is another older thread where someone else memorializes the same problem and solution so it must not be that uncommon. That thread is what put me onto the right track. Thank you iBoats for this great resource!

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

Get a power steering pump pulley installation tool and push the pulley back on the pump shaft until the pulleys line up. Make sure the pump is tight in the bracket so the pump doesn't twist.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

I had the same exact symptoms on my 2007 5.0 GXi-G. The squeal is quite annoying. It was ultimately cured by shimming behind the power steering pump bracket. Took three attempts to find a washer that was just the right thickness. It was real frustrating in that the bolt that needed the shim had limited space in which to work and it had to be done 'blind' using only two fingers on each hand.

There is another older thread where someone else memorializes the same problem and solution so it must not be that uncommon. That thread is what put me onto the right track. Thank you iBoats for this great resource!

That was my thread earlier this year, glad it worked for you! On a cold start mine makes noise for about 60 seconds then is quiet the rest of the day. Much better than that high pitched squeal all day. This looks like a common problem on the 5.0's around that time.

Don, are you saying the pulley is working itself off the pump shaft and should be pressed back on? I just shimmed it with a washer and all was good, but that would be interesting to note in the future.

 

[bmies]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

Thank you all for your help. I'm now armed with some washers and will be getting access to a pump pulley tool. I'll try pulling/ re-installing the pulley first and will resort to washer stacking if necessary. Thanks again. With the number of speedy responses, I am surprised this was not a recall item.

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

No need to remove the pulley first, it may just need pushed back into alignment, and may have been in the wrong place since new.
Only use washers to true up the angle, not move the pump an 1/8" back.

 

[bmies]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

Thank you all for your help, but I have not made any measurable progress . I tried pushing the power steering pulley further onto the shaft using a power steering pulley installer, but the pulley hub was already flush with the end of the power steering pump shaft. I removed my 'alignment shims', washers, from behind the power steering pump bracket (at the engine block/alt. bracket), so as to start fresh. Still the pulley is around 1/8" forward of the water pump pulley, and the alignment issue causes a noticeable bend in the belt. Any more ideas? Thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

This is one of those problems when being able to see what it is is better than the written word.

Have you owned this boat since new? If not, you may have the wrong pump on there, or the wrong something.

 

[Glevans1]

Re: 5.0GL-H pulley alignment

Here's a little tip to try when using the power steering pulley installer that worked for me. After pushing the pulley back on I noticed that even though the installer was bottomed out ( that is, I could not push it on any further ), the pulley was still out of alignment. I needed to put a correctly sized socket in front of the installer which allowed me to push the pulley on further so that the shaft is actually striking out past the pulley.