serpentine belt too tight?

[S13Slide]

on a 97 tarus gl i changed the idler pully and serpentine belt after the pullys bearing went poop. when putting on the belt was really difficult and too tight, i had to use a screw driver to force it over the alternator pully. i made sure i had the belt installed corectly over each pully.

after about a week and a half the power steering pump was making noise's and either leaking fluid or doing something with it. so i replace the pump with a new one and right away it makes the same noise.

could the belt be too tight and putting strain on the pump? the way the belt is, i cant loosen it any, right when it goes over all the pullys theres no slack at all.

i appreciate any help givin to me. thank you

[KimMG]

There is an adjustment. On mine, I loosen the nut in the center of the idler pulley and the turn the bolt that adjusts it up and down. Tighten the nut to lock it in place. Too tight of a belt will put strain on the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, etc. and cause failures of these parts.