How do you Loosen the Belt when trying to remove the Alternator?

[sunXet_RELOADED]

I just got my HO alternator in for my system. I have heard that the install is fairly simple, but I couldn't find any informative how-to's anywhere. I see the three bolts, the two electrical connections, but I don't know how to loosen the belt. Any and all help would be appreciated.

[RocketFast321]

Only thing you have to do is turn the belt tensioner counter clockwise to the firewall and slip the belt off. Since i have a 2.4 I don't really know what tools you would need. On my 2.4 all I need was a wrench.

[sunXet_RELOADED]

But what does the belt tensioner look like, or where is it located?

[2K SE]

the tensioner is the pulley that does NOT drive anything. look around, the power steering pump, the alternator, and the AC are all driven by the belt off the crank pulley. not sure I can explain it any better.

edit: maybe not the power steering pump.

[RocketFast321]

on my 2.4 it is under the alternator

[Brad97GS]

Here's my shot at a description:

There is a circular piece with a little "sort of" tear dropped piece coming off of it which has a pulley on the thin end. If you connect a wrench to the pulley bolt (might need a long wrench or a tube to put over the regular wrench), and you turn it (do not loosen the bolt, just use the wrench to pivot it), you will see that the pulley and arm move away from the belt, and the belt loosens up. While holding the tensioner up, slip the belt off and slowly let go of the tensioner. Hopefully that helps some. :)