03 grand am serpentine belt shredding

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Micali

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I went to my local auto parts store Nd bought what I thought was the correct belt for my 03 grand am. I also replaced a bad idle pulley. When I finally got it on the belt was touching side of the tensioner. I knew if I started it up the belt would instantly shred.
I took it off and went to the store again and double checked the numbers and it was the same one again. I asked if they had a longer belt so they checked the 04 grand am and it was .5 longer, I think. Got home and put it on and all looked just fine. Only after a month the belt started to shred. So I got it replaced under warranty and now that belt is starting to shred as well.
What is happening? I doubt they will replace the belt again plus I dont want to keep doing this. The original belt was fine but squealed something terrible. I did compare the belts and the new belt seemed a little short to the original.
 
I would start looking at every pulley for rough spots or not turning freely. Since you provided nothing specific on 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder or what store and part number can't comment if you are buying the correct belt.
 
3.4 V6. I bought the belt at autozone for the 2004 GT. I'll check the belt for a number.
 
Micali said:
3.4 V6. I bought the belt at autozone for the 2004 GT. I'll check the belt for a number.
Click to expand...
Look at the notes on the AC-Delco belt. Depending on alternator bracket there were two different belts used.
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I tried to post a video but cant. When I was watching the pulleys it seems like my HB is wobbly. I'm not even sure that's possible. Its probably my eyes but could it actually be the issue?
 
Micali said:
I tried to post a video but cant. When I was watching the pulleys it seems like my HB is wobbly. I'm not even sure that's possible. Its probably my eyes but could it actually be the issue?
Click to expand...
If it's a two piece damper with rubber section, yes.
 
When I was looking at the pulleys it seemed like HB was wobbling. That seems odd that it would be at all. Can these belts walk?
 
Micali said:
When I was looking at the pulleys it seemed like HB was wobbling. That seems odd that it would be at all. Can these belts walk?
Click to expand...
If the pulley is wobbling, yes.
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I'm still needing to verify the HB. If the belt is to long but with no other issues, would the belt walk?
What's odd is I wasn't having any issues with the belt before I changed it. I went with the 2004 belt which is .50 longer which is 87. The 2003 is 86.5.
 
Did you ever read the details on the AC-Delco belt application which indicated two different belts used during your model year?
 
The harmonic balancer had seperated almost a quarter of an inch. I replaced it and all is good. I'm using the 87" belt.
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