Belt Shredding Monster

[Jason Witt 65]

I currently have a Mechman 270a in my 2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 and it's going through belts like crazy. I have checked pulley alignment, tension, and have done everything I can think of to solve it. This only happens when the alternator is under a load when I play my beats. I have roughly 600 amps of draw with nearly 12,000 watts of battery reserve. It does the squealing the worse at idle, and actually tears these belts at higher engine speeds. I use the good Gates belts, but they don't last more than a few weeks. I have had trouble with this alternator several times and had to send it back three times, and swapping these belts, and especially the alternator in my car is a HUGE pain in the ass. Any ideas why this may be happening? I would like to solve this mystery before I have to swap for another alt. Thanks guys. If you need more information I haven't mentioned just ask.

[pmureika 31]

How good of a belt wrap do you have on the pulley?

Edited March 12, 2013 by pmureika

[Jason Witt 65]

How good of a belt rap do you have on the pulley?

The belt is snug around the pulley and cradles it well i'd say. It's a four groove belt, and it stays put.

[pmureika 31]

This is A pic of my mechman 300amp on a 2009 jeep. I am not close to full amp draw.It is a six grove belt withe at least 35% belt rap.

 

Edited March 11, 2013 by pmureika

[Jason Witt 65]

[djjdnap 78]

just off the top of my head,

 

have u checked the tensioner assembly

[Jason Witt 65]

Yes, it works as it should. Up and down is the bolt behind the alt, and in or out is the nut you see there on the side. That's as good as I can get it.

[Jason Witt 65]

Am I missing something there? I am in no way a mechanic. Lol

[pmureika 31]

From that picture the alignment dont look the best.

[Jason Witt 65]

How would I correct that?

[Jason Witt 65]

It has only recently started eating belts. I have had this alternator since 2012.

Edited March 11, 2013 by BrutalBasser

[pmureika 31]

I would try a new tensioner first. Also the pulley may be getting worn because its just soft aluminum.

Edited March 11, 2013 by pmureika

[Jason Witt 65]

I would try a new tensioner first.

So I need to buy a new top bracket is what you're saying?

[pmureika 31]

I would try a new tensioner first.

So I need to buy a new top bracket is what you're saying?

The one that puts tension on the belt.

[Jason Witt 65]

 

I would try a new tensioner first.

So I need to buy a new top bracket is what you're saying?

The one that puts tension on the belt.

 

I'll look into that. Thanks

[pmureika 31]

Plus I would have somebody double check alignment.

[djjdnap 78]

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f75/how-replace-serpentine-belts-tensioner-423670/

[AXEHAMMER 16]

I agree Brutal, even from a pic I can tell that belt is not aligned right, if you will notice the alternator appears to be "back" farther than your other components. Hence it is not perfectly in line and will shred them quickly.

[edouble101 314]

Sounds to me that under load the alternator is slipping on your belt. Do you hear a shrieking noise?

 

You could add an idler pulley to your alternator hinge bolt like I did. This greatly increased belt wrap.

[Jason Witt 65]

Ok, so I took it to a mechanic and it is not aligned properly. Like I said, i'm no mechanic and these are apparently some of the toughest alternators to change. It will be fixed Wednesday, and not by me. Thanks for all the advice, that's why I love this forum.

[KyleBrown 121]

Let us know how it goes. 

[jonbearsmt 919]

i had this happend to me years ago.... turned out the pully on the alternator was 1 gove too small... the belt looked fine over the pulley but it was just a little too wide,. and after a week or sos driving it would shered ...

 

 so tripple check the pulley

[Jason Witt 65]

i had this happend to me years ago.... turned out the pully on the alternator was 1 gove too small... the belt looked fine over the pulley but it was just a little too wide,. and after a week or sos driving it would shered ...

 

 so tripple check the pulley

The pulley is a four groove as well. I guess I did something wrong when I put it in, but it is getting fixed. Thanks Jon.

[mason_herold 2]

How would I correct that?

depending on the way it is mounted you could just shim it(add some washers on the bolt behind the alternator to make the uneven side stickout further)

[Jason Witt 65]

How would I correct that?

depending on the way it is mounted you could just shim it(add some washers on the bolt behind the alternator to make the uneven side stickout further)

Oddly enough I tried that, and I think it just made it worse. There was just too much pull on an already weak bracket.