Serpentine belt change

[RDThompson]

This may seem odd, but I have never personally changed the belt on my 6. 7 .

When the radiator developed a leak requiring its removal and subsequent replacement I asked the dealer to replace the belt while he had it apart.

I have always inspected the belt but it hasn't required replacement up to this point.

I change these belts in construction equipment pretty regularly, and if this was a Terex or Gradall I wouldn't be asking.

My question is from which direction does one approach? Top or bottom ? The fan shroud looks to be one piece and pretty much immovable.



I'll be preemptorily changing the Idler bearing , More from an abundance of caution than from any real need.



Any tips that will spare the skin on my knuckles and general frustration would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks

 

[TLane]

I haven't done it myself, but the manual makes it seem very simple. There's a 1/2" drive hole in the tensioner, a break-over handle should fit there. Remove the belt from the water pump first. When installing, put it back on the water pump last.

If there's not a drawing of the belt under the hood, MAKE ONE FIRST. A few digital camera pictures might be helpful as well. I always think I can remember, but thirty seconds after I've got the belt off I get a bad case of CRSS (can't remember squat syndrome).

 

[RDThompson]

Thanks for the tip on which order to loop the pulleys.

I found a nice diagram of the belt layout that others might find helpful.

If I have poked the thinky-box correctly it should appear along with this reply, either as a diagram or a URL.

 

[mwilson]

I, being old and lazy, remove the air cleaner box for better access. It really makes things easier to reach and see.



Water pump first and last is the way to go hands down.



Mike.

 

[RDThompson]

I can see where that would lend an advantage, I shall incorporate it into my procedure.

Thanks for the tip.



Odd though, I performed this service on my 5. 9 several times while I owned it but I can't recall how I approached the task. I too suffer from selective CRS.

 

[n7gxz]

I found that the tensioner has to be done from below and you want to put the belt on the tensioner first as it will JUST slide between the tensioner and the block.



Kevin