Q: Belt noises pulley wobbles

asked by on August 18, 2016

My GTO A4 has 59,000 miles on it. It's a great car but it started to make a belt sound like a mild chirp chirp chirp. When I looked closer the crank pulley harmonic balancer wobbles slightly. It hasn’t lost a belt yet though. I was reading about this and it's apparently a LS2 issue. Is it normal for a GTO to have failing pulleys? I am wondering how to fix this. The bolts aren’t loose. I have read that re-torqueing sn’t a permanent fix. Should I just buy an ATI or an OEM? Should I install a SLP or similar under drive? What ideas do you have?

Idler Pulley Replacement $108.97 - $399.46 Get a Quote
Wheel Bearings Replacement $110.89 - $591.42 Get a Quote
Car is making a noise Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2005 Pontiac GTO. Worn idler pulleys or accessory components along the belt drive system may make noise as a sign the bearings are failing. As far as the brands, stick with OEM parts for the best results and reliability. If you would like an expert come out to pinpoint the problem, have one of our mobile experts here at YourMechanic come to you to find and repair the source of the noise.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Window not rolling up or down
Hello. The most common cause of a window not working is a bad window regulator. Though in some cases it will be the window switch, fuse, or window motor at fault. I strongly suggest having one of our professionally trained...
Check Engine code reads "catalytic converter"
Hello. If you have a check engine code for a catalytic converter then most of the time that is exactly what you need. In some cases a bad oxygen sensor can make it look like there is a bad converter....
Cd4e new pump and rod. Pressure builds 30sec then total loss.
If the transmission fluid was gritty (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) when it first drained, the fluid when the pump shaft snapped off is not a good sign. The pump most likely bound up due to this metal that came through the system. When...
Flashing dashboard lights
The xeon type head lights will tend to flash or go dim and bright when they are going bad. Replace both front headlight bulbs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/headlight-bulb-replacement) at the same time. They will fail close to each other and one will be...
Adding Transmission fluid additives
Hi there. I've never been a big believer in using additives in transmission applications. The purpose of an "additive" is to mask the root cause of why a component is not working correctly. In the case of a transmission additive,...
Overheating, drop in oil pressure when coming to a stop
I would start by checking the thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement). If this is not working correctly, the car will quickly overheat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-overheats-quickly-inspection). Driving may temporarily keep the temperature down due to wind circulation, however once you are stopped this goes away, especially...
Just paid $700 for tune up at Ford dealership, now I'm getting a P0430 code from engine light
Hi, thanks for writing in. This code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0430-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-2-by-spencer-clayton) is for the O2 sensor after the catalyst for the driver side. You will need to have the code diagnosed to see if the sensor is working okay or the catalyst is...
Engine has a cranking noise and car vibrates... also service engine soon light is on
Hello. The symptoms you describe would suggest that the starter is not disengaging immediately from the engine. This is caused by damage to either the starter drive, the engine's flexplate (or flywheel) or both. The symptoms will only become worse,...
Windshield washer fluid not spraying
This is most likely the result of a clogged windshield wiper nozzle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clean-windshield-washer-tubes-and-jets-inspection). Try blowing compressed air through the nozzle or cleaning the head of the nozzle out with a pin. Try tracing the washer hose from the nozzles back...

Related articles

Common Signs Your Drive Belt Is Loose
The most common sign of a loose drive belt is noise, and it can range from a barely audible squeak to an...
Understanding All the Drive Belts in Your Car
Your car’s engine has a number of mechanical parts attached to it that perform essential functions like delivering power (the alternator), cooling...
How to Buy a Good Quality Idler Pulley
The The idler pulley system drives a car’s alternator and is part of a belt and pulley system that also covers power steering, the air compressor, and other devices. The pulley is essential; with all of the important equipment that...