Truck Repair: Dodge Dakota underhood squeal, power steering pump, fan clutch


Question
1999 Dodge Dakota V6 2 wheel drive
Truck recently overheated (not bone dry)
Replaced bad water pump and also replaced belt tensioner(sticking).
I now have a constant squeal. May have had it before but unaware because of bad hearing.  Sounds like belt slipping or wore out brass bushing. Doesn't matter whether the a/c is on or off. Doesn't matter whether engine hot or cold.

Belt tension proper.  Belt aligned on all pulleys.
Removed belt and the following are free spinning with no apparent side play in shafts: tensioner pully(new), idler pulley, a/c clutch, alternator, and power steering pump.

Fan clutch appears to have no play and has friction to move by hand on cold engine.

Oil up to ok and no foam (say that because of recent rains).

Answer
Hello Larry,
With that belt removed, start the engine, and see if the squeel is there. You can run the engine for several seconds without the belt. Just don't run it too long, cause the water pump won't be operating.

If the noise is still there, it could be internal bearings.
But if it is gone, check to see if the pulleys all look like they are in line.

Van