Belt Shredding

**99 LS1** · 08-07-2008, 02:36 AM

I have a 99 Z28. I have had all of the pulleys changed and the balancer. at least once a week my main belt is shredding off. I have check all the pulleys and cant seem to find a knicks or anything like that one them. Has anyone else ever had this problem??? I thinking my balancer is out of wack but I'm not sure. Any help would be great.

**666ws6** · 08-07-2008, 02:59 AM

I have the problem of my belt flying off at high RPM, but not "shredding". Is it the sides of your belt getting chewed up? The side facing the engine or the radiator?

**0rion** · 08-07-2008, 08:44 AM

have you checked the tensioner or idler pulleys? Does it look like the belt is running true on the car? A lot of times the tensioner will be bad and the belt will not run true and cause it to wear the side of the belt until it shreds.

**Spaz** · 08-07-2008, 08:54 AM

there was a bullitin from GM a few years ago about the tensionerpully bracket being the wrong size... i can't remember the correct offset but it think it was 9mm... i searched for it and can't find it... any one know how to look that up???

**konigandy6** · 08-07-2008, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

there was a bullitin from GM a few years ago about the tensionerpully bracket being the wrong size... i can't remember the correct offset but it think it was 9mm... i searched for it and can't find it... any one know how to look that up???

As soon as my SI site is back up and running, I will pull the bulliten for you.

**666ws6** · 08-07-2008, 10:27 AM

Was it a TSB? I think you can look those up at NHTSA.dot.gov by make/model of your car, but I haven't checked recently.

For my belt flying off problem, I ordered a Katech tensioner, but waiting 3 weeks from Thuder Racing and It's not shipped.

**Spaz** · 08-07-2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by konigandy6

As soon as my SI site is back up and running, I will pull the bulliten for you.

awesome!!! thanks!!!

**konigandy6** · 08-07-2008, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

awesome!!! thanks!!!

Nice memory Spaz...

Bulletin ID # 99-06-01-007

It was actually a dust shield that was the incorrect size. The original was a .61mm thickness and the new design is a 1.37mm thickness.

The bulletin is for a squeak noise, not the belt issue. There are no other bulletins for the drive belt. I even searched other model years.

From what you are describing though, you may have a misaligned pulley.

**Spaz** · 08-07-2008, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by konigandy6

Nice memory Spaz...

Bulletin ID # 99-06-01-007

It was actually a dust shield that was the incorrect size. The original was a .61mm thickness and the new design is a 1.37mm thickness.

The bulletin is for a squeak noise, not the belt issue. There are no other bulletins for the drive belt. I even searched other model years.

From what you are describing though, you may have a misaligned pulley.

that was it... damn my memory though...

**konigandy6** · 08-07-2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

that was it... damn my memory though...

I think you would do very well on Jeopardy!

**PFM** · 08-07-2008, 11:38 AM

ChecK the non adjustable idler pulley to the right of the water pump and make sure its not worn out. Last time mine went to tearing up belts it was the culpret. Take the belt off to check it.

**0rion** · 08-07-2008, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by PFM

ChecK the non adjustable idler pulley to the right of the water pump and make sure its not worn out. Last time mine went to tearing up belts it was the culpret. Take the belt off to check it.

this was actually the one I was referring to, not the tensioner.

**CamaroFan71** · 08-07-2008, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

this was actually the one I was referring to, not the tensioner.

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure it was...

**Spaz** · 08-07-2008, 12:16 PM

**99 LS1** · 08-09-2008, 04:34 AM

All of my pulleys are new. The belt appears to be running dead on. Its starts fraying on the side facing the engine and then after that an entire ribbed section tears off and throws the belt. My A/C belt is doing the same. Thats why I'm leaning more towards the balancer causing the problems. Any ideas for a good replacement?

**666ws6** · 08-09-2008, 05:53 AM

Idea: Can you set up a camera, and film the engine with a new belt to focus on the crank pulley? and others? Maybe that will show you where there's an alignment issue.

If you think it's the crank pulley, is that one of your new ones? I have the ASP pulley, but if I had to do again I'd get the SLP one with the taller walls to prevent belt fly off.

**sunsetorangess** · 08-09-2008, 06:32 AM

If you have that much play in your balancer it may be something bigger than the balancer itself. Given its still tight and hasnt worked itself loose then your looking at internal failure, ie bearings.
J