Replacing serpentine belt?

[Gabriel]

My serp belt is on its last threads .. How do I replace it? I can only see part of the motor clearly. I suppose I can figure it out tomorrow morning but I'd like to know how much work and time will go into it. Is it as easy as putting in a ratchet on the tensioner to get it out of the way, and installing the new belt?

TIA, and sorry for the newbie question from a GA newbie:D

[jayhawk]

not a problem, but I think this section will help you out better than the LD9 section. :)

Jay

[jayhawk]

I guess I will take the plunge.

First off, to change the belt, you will have to remove the motor mount that is in front of everything. Good job, GM. :shake:

Then you will need to put a ratchet on the tensioner, and move it so the belt will go slack, make sure you have a diagram of the belt routing! then reapply the belt. It isnt fun, and really the only advantage for anyone is to have little girly hands like me.

Jay

[Toyguyz]

I was able to get a wrench on my tensioner, (94 GA Quad 4 HO), without pulling the motor mount? I'd try to do it without touching the motor mount unless you absolutely have to.

Serpentine belt changing 101.................... Put a socket on the nut that's in the center of the tensioner, then use the handle of your ratchet or breaker bar, (whichever your using), and move the tensioner back to get slack on the belt. When you have the tensioner pushed back, lift the belt up off the alternator pully then take the belt out. To install the new one, place the belt around all the pullys except the alternator then push the tensioner back to allow enough slack to put the belt over the alternator pully, release the tensioner, check to insure the belt is install around the pullys properly and your done!

Good luck... :glasses2:

[Gabriel]

Thanks for the help, Jayhawk. I was able to do it without touching the motor mount either (thankfully!).

Toyguyz, thanks for the 101. Unfortunately, my GA doesn't have any room for a socket between the motor and the inner fender. I was able t sneak in a 1/2 inch open-end but it wasn't long enough. so I had to crank the tensioner back by mating the open end (sounds kinda fun, no? :-D ) with a crescent wrench. A recipe for pain, yes, but I was careful not to let them slip apart.

Once I had that figured out it was pretty easy. Thanks again.

[rice_roaster]

Well, I missed it when this happened-- But I know a trick, in case you have to change that belt again--

Take a combo wrench and loop a piece of fishingline, wire or wire-tie thru the closed end of the wrench. Now, you slip the open end over the tensioner. Don't worry about breaking the tensioner, it's shaped so you can slip an end wrench over it (3/4 most of the time) Now you can use the loop you made to pull the tensioner and release the belt. This way you don't have to worry about getting your hands in there... and you have more leverage.

Try it... works like a champ-- This tip works on the V-6's too, not just the Twin-cam--
:D

--Ray

[Gabriel]

Hey, thanks, Ray. Dang it, where were you that day??? J/K

I'll keep this in mind for next time.

[smenchions]

Ray, Just spent 45 minutes banging hands and sweating over how to loosen the tensioner to get belt off. I even pulled most of the plastic off from the wheel well thinking I HAD to get a wrench on the central tensioner bolt to make it go slack. I then read your fishing line trick.....AWESOME....very very very very easy to release the tension on the belt..a 5 year old can do it. Thanks RAY!!!

Shane

1997 3.1L V6