Magna Charger Drive Belt

NYCHASM · Aug 13, 2006

After about 10,000 plus miles, the drive belt frayed last night. Small pieces flew off and at various places along the belt the frayed cord slaps various components. It happened when I revved the engine while downshifting. The sound was like driving over loose gravel that was being tossed up into the wheel wells by the tires. That's what I thought it was at first. I was only a few blocks from home so I drove it slowly and then realized the slapping sound changed when the RPM changed. Other than the frayed areas, the belt still looks okay. What I mean by that is that there are no signs of dry rot or cracks or any shininess which would inhibit the belts' gripping ability.

So...my questions are:
1. Is this a common failure at 10K miles?
2. Has anyone had this problem?
3. Is it possible (and how do I tell) that there is a pulley alignment problem?
4. Can someone supply detailed instructions on changing the belt? It looks like the power steering hoses and a coolant hose have to be removed. Anything else?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Charlie

DDD550HP · Aug 13, 2006

I has the same thing happen to me, I thought I had run over something. The problem was that my belt was only a few weeks old so I think it was a bad belt. I have went through about 5 belts in about a year and a half but i've got it worked out now.

It's not that hard to change the belt but you do have to remove the power steering hose. I would have the old belt most of the way off, clamp the hose, remove it, slip the old belt off put the new belt on and replace the hose then put the new belt on.

Should be easy, I even had to do it in a parking lot once.

NYCHASM · Aug 14, 2006

DDD550HP said:
I has the same thing happen to me, I thought I had run over something. The problem was that my belt was only a few weeks old so I think it was a bad belt. I have went through about 5 belts in about a year and a half but i've got it worked out now.

It's not that hard to change the belt but you do have to remove the power steering hose. I would have the old belt most of the way off, clamp the hose, remove it, slip the old belt off put the new belt on and replace the hose then put the new belt on.

Should be easy, I even had to do it in a parking lot once.

Thanks for your response. You said you've gone through 5 belts in a year and a half but now you have it worked out. What did you get worked out? What was causing you to go through so many belts in such a short period of time?

Thanks for the replacement info. It looks like the power steering line is the ONLY thing that has to be removed. Is this correct?

Thanks again,
Charlie

DDD550HP · Aug 14, 2006

Yes the power steering hose is the only one that needs to be removed. Just have something so you can cap it off so the fluid does not spill out everywhere. It's should only take about 10 min to change.

As for why I was going through the belts??? I have no idea, changed and went to a 2.9 pully with a 1037 belt and have not had a problem yet.

good luck

Magna Charger Drive Belt

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