Cerd
Junior Member
I recently bought a 2003 Ram 2500 with 5.7L Hemi for towing. I am going through it to make it sound for towing a 7000lb camper and an ATV in the box.
Backstory, it was an old farm truck. The previous owner had a burnt lifter, did some diagnostics and ended up installing a used motor.
There was a nasty squeal from the pulleys, so I replaced the idlers with Dorman metal idlers that I have used before with great success. The plastic ones tend to grenade in sub zero weather, so I gave up on them. I also changed the tensioner. The idlers and tensioner were cheap enough, so I wasn't concerned.
The idlers and tensioner helped the squeal a fair amount, but it was still there. Next, I used some silicone spray to pinpoint the pulleys to locate the squeal, which led to the AC Compressor. The truck came with the old motor since he didn't want to dispose of it and it included the pulleys. I went to change the clutch and pulley since that is easy enough and I have done it before- or so I thought. I fought with the outer plate since it was rusted on the spline. I finally got it off, but the casting that holds the retaining clip broke off. Due to the damage, I had to replace that.
The squeal is better yet, but not gone. I would like to spray test the other pulleys, but I cannot reach them even with a straw when the fan is spinning.
Any thoughts?
I would also like to add that I am fairly competent wrenching. I am not a mechanic, but I am usually able to find the issue without swapping parts. I have Durango with a Hemi as well, so I am familiar with it already. I just wanted to consult others for ideas before dumping more money into it. I do also have a water pump and fan clutch on order because I didn't want to chance overheating with that much weight behind it. That would leave the power steering and alternator, which are a bit more expensive than the other stuff.
Backstory, it was an old farm truck. The previous owner had a burnt lifter, did some diagnostics and ended up installing a used motor.
There was a nasty squeal from the pulleys, so I replaced the idlers with Dorman metal idlers that I have used before with great success. The plastic ones tend to grenade in sub zero weather, so I gave up on them. I also changed the tensioner. The idlers and tensioner were cheap enough, so I wasn't concerned.
The idlers and tensioner helped the squeal a fair amount, but it was still there. Next, I used some silicone spray to pinpoint the pulleys to locate the squeal, which led to the AC Compressor. The truck came with the old motor since he didn't want to dispose of it and it included the pulleys. I went to change the clutch and pulley since that is easy enough and I have done it before- or so I thought. I fought with the outer plate since it was rusted on the spline. I finally got it off, but the casting that holds the retaining clip broke off. Due to the damage, I had to replace that.
The squeal is better yet, but not gone. I would like to spray test the other pulleys, but I cannot reach them even with a straw when the fan is spinning.
Any thoughts?
I would also like to add that I am fairly competent wrenching. I am not a mechanic, but I am usually able to find the issue without swapping parts. I have Durango with a Hemi as well, so I am familiar with it already. I just wanted to consult others for ideas before dumping more money into it. I do also have a water pump and fan clutch on order because I didn't want to chance overheating with that much weight behind it. That would leave the power steering and alternator, which are a bit more expensive than the other stuff.
Last edited: