I am worn out. I have 1 1994 Camaro (3.4) and the alternator went out (all of the normal signs - and confirmed it was bad on the bench). Replaced the alternator and replaced the belt while we were at it. Started it up - the most awful squeal I've heard. Also saw water dripping from under the water pump. Replaced the water pump. No more leak - but still the awful squeal. Sprayed some lubricant on the belt tensioner, and the squeal went a way for a moment. Squeal would quit evey time the tensioner was sprayed. Just replaced the tensioner....and.....you got it, STILL the squeal. Only two more parts possible....air conditioner and power steering pump. I sprayed lubricant in the airconditioner clutch - squeal stops, momentarily. I get the squeal with or without the air conditioner on.

So - anyone got any ideas.....and if you think it's the air conditioner clutch / bearing.....how hard is it to replace just the clutch / bearings?

Now wait a second! The only change you made before the squeal was to replace the alternator and belt?????
And it didn't squeal before the change?
Sounds like your new alternator might be defective and putting out full power (full field) all the time. That could overload the belt and cause the squeal.
Try unplugging the alternator wires and then running the engine.

Also did you buy a good belt? Alot of chinese and/or Korean belts around these days. They tend to glaze very quickly. Goodyear gaters are a good choice. Did you get right size belt? Tensioner may be at top of travel.

Believe me when I say, it's that serpentine belt!.....What make is the belt?....That squeal that you're hearing is the belt slipping on the pulleys!.....Purchase a good quality belt such as a Goodyear Gaterback.

If you suspect the belt, get a shop rag and soak it with water, now while the engine is running, very carefully squeeze the water out of the rag onto the belt ONLY...If the squealing stops, its the belt....Try to reverse the belt, this might give you some temporary relief, but like said before, pickup a good belt, such as Gates or a Goodyear...good luck...:)

Double check the alignment of the alt. I had a '94 3.4 and the replacement alt. was a challenge to get lined up.

Thanks for all of the suggestions - Fred pointed me in the right direction. A started thinking that all of my noise trouble began after replacing the alternator and the belt. I unplugged the alternator - still had the noise. There was no doubt in my mind (and the other motorheads around me) that the noise was absolutely a metal-on-metal noise such as a bearing going out. However, since the alternator didn't appear to make the noise - I dug the old belt out of the trash and put it back on. No NOISE! :hurray:

The belt was a Goodyear Gatorback - causing my noise issues. A new belt (again) and I"m back being happy.

Side note - when replacing the belt tensioner. Don't bother replacing just the pulley and bearing. Spend the extra $20 and replace the entire unit. Both Checker's and NAPA's pulleys wouldn't quit fit the oem tensioner. The inside of the pulley (bell housing) would rub the tensioner unit housing at the center bolt. Would have saved myself a couple of trips - replacing the entire unit at once.

Thanks for all of the suggestion!