Well, she almost left me stranded, but with some luck, we made it home. I have been having some belt squealing on and off now for about a month. All belts were replaced 20K miles ago, so figured they just needed tightened some. I tightened the Power Steering as it seemed a little loose, and it seemed to help, but was still getting a squeal now and then at start up. The other day when parking, turned the wheel sharp and got a good loud squeal, so, I figure maybe either power steering belt was shot or pump going bad, causing some drag. Yesterday I read the post on “belt squeal” and found it very helpful, so I was going to check out some stuff this weekend. No suck luck, she had enough of the belt and was going to force the issue!!

So yesterday I start it up at work, get a 1 sec squeal then the “BATT’, “BRAKE” and the “RADIATOR” symbols all light up on the dash. I remember reading about that happening on here and though I could not remember exactly, I figured the power steering pump went bad, and sure enough, I had no power steering. So, since it raining, I decide to go ahead and drive it home, no biggie on loss of power steering. I decided to stop at a gas station where I could get out of the rain and pop the hood, leaving it run, just in case battery is draining. So far, outside of the lights and steering, temp and all seemed good.

Well I immediately notice no power steering rotation, but belt is still there! I then notice the main serpentine belt has jumped off the pulleys, but somehow, is still hanging there and not ripped to shreds! (I really did not realize at this time, that this belt also ran the water pump) So I go to shut off the car, notice the temp is up and think, great, no more driving and I have no tools!! I remember I do have a nice long Craftsman screwdriver in the hatch, which I was planning on taking back to Sears for an exchange. Maybe I can use my snowmobile skills on belt replacement and get the sucker back on there!! After all, it jumped off, it should go back on and maybe I can limp home? Ha, ha.

I tried for about 20 min with no luck. Went in and bought some pliers, to try and loosen the alternator, long shot and of course, Ha ha, no luck! Finally I managed to get it back on, what luck!

After a few attempts, I positioned the belt around the crank and alternator, and slowly pried it over the water pump pulley. The long screwdriver gave me enough room and leverage to get it between the belt and pulley, and push it on (pushing towards the rear of the car). So I drove to Walmart and bought best little mechanics tool set that $15 dollars can buy, :laugh: cause it staying in the car from now on for emergencies!!

I went out and using the fine set of tools, tightened the belt in the parking lot. No biggie, belt looked OK, problem solved, right? Ha, ha again. I left the store and tried her out at a few modest 5K shifts. No problem until I get into 5th and cruise and I immediately here the belt shredding! But no lights yet so I kept her going until the next gas station, and check it out. Sure enough, the belt is coming apart! Oh well, only about 25 more miles to go, nursed her home and made it OK! (at this time I did not remember I might have a belt in the hatch)

Once home I checked and my “old” belts were still in the hatch (I thought I had saved them!). So I check them, they look Ok, and I replaced the belt. Old belt was a “Gates”. I just had mechanic replace them all when he did the timing belt (I thought he had told me they looked OK, but I just like replacing them and then I know they new and should last a while, right? Lol) All seems good for now. I made it to work with no problems today. I did check the belt area after the replacement and all seems OK, but will double check per the belt thread yesterday. So much for “Kelley Springfield” belts on the Laser!