Serpentine Belt Change

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OK, Y'all have helped me in the past, maybe y'all can lend some helpfull hints on my next project.

I have ordered me the Goodyear Gatorback Belt from Carparts.com (#4080810, $24. 43 with 33% off, $16. 36, THANKS REDNUT!), and plan to put it on during my holiday vacation. I have never had the pleasure of putting on a Serpentine belt before and am looking for some input on what I can do to make my job easier.

I have searched the archives and have found lots of mention of folks changing the belts out themselves, and claims of the job only taking "3 minutes", but no mention of what tools to use or other hints.

Have any of you out there changed the belt out yourself? If so what are some of your shadetree techniques or tips?

I have 37k miles on the truck, and I have noticed some cracking on my original belt so it is time to go.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

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Y2K 2500, Auto, 4x4, QC, Short Box, Garnet Red, Westin Nerf Bars, K&N. Synthetic Lubes, Reese 15k Side-to-Side Piviot Hitch

1998 Sea Breeze 37 Ft Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

[This message has been edited by wdixon (edited 12-06-2000). ]

 

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All you need is a 3/8" break over bar to fit the square hole in the tension pully bracket. Just take the pressure off the belt with the bar and pull the old belt off. There should be a diagram handy there somewhere in case you get mixed up putting the new one on. A piece of cake.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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When holding tension against the tensioner,make sure to not let it go abruptly with the belt off. It can break if allowed to snap back against the stop. Keep your old belt behind the seat. Chris

 

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I just changed mine. Except for having to disconnect the wires leading to the Horton Fan Clutch, it's not a problem. I used a 3/8" rachet with a cheater pipe on the handle. Before you take off the belt though, be sure the routing matches the sticker on the radiator support. I have heard that some stickers were not correct.

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1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran away into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Air Filter, Brite-Box, Geno's finger-touch oil pan drain plug, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

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The belt tensioner is spring loaded, pivot it away from the belt or else you can damage it. Like the rest of the post mention use a 3/8" breaker bar or a cheater bar on your 3/8" ratchet. These tensioners have a lot of tension force and require some muscle to pivot. Once the belt is off, ease the breaker bar back (don't let go, it will snap back and probably get damaged). I think it will only go so far and then the breaker bar is going to come in contact with the truck frame. At this point get your new belt in place and pivot the belt tensioner back again and slip the new belt over its pulley. Then ease back off the bar and make sure the belt is straight and lined up with all the pulleys. If all looks well then remove the breaker bar or what ever you use to pivot the tensioner.

The whole process is easier than it sounds, main thing is to make sure you use something big enough to give you some leverage against the tensioner.

 

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Have plenty of light available and get the belt onto the ribbed pulleys first, leaving the water pump for last. Then apply pressure to the tensioner to slacken the belt and slide it under the water pump pulley. Enjoy, and keep your sanity. #ad
#ad


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Chris Timochko
1997 5sp 4X4, HX40, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, Custom Tuned Injection Pump, Auto Wurks Diesel Intercooler, 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, 6" Chrome Exhaust System, No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. Test mule for Auto Wurks Diesel race program

 

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Radixr is right about checking the diagram as mine was not right and it is amazing how many differant ways that belt can go on and not be right #ad

But the change is easy to do.
Paul

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'96 2500 ext. cab, LB, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 54, TST 280 cam plate, AFC spring kit ,pyro and boost gauges mounted on A-Pillar, tinted windows, 16x8 Eagle alloys series 1219, 285/75R16 Durango A/T's, stainless steel rocker panels and alluminum stirrup steps

 

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When you release the pressure off the belt, listen to see if there is any squeaks from the tensioner. I just had to replace mine and when I talked to the diesel mech at the Dodge dealer and I mentioned that I heard a squeak, he smiles and said that the tensioner was shot. I wanted to just change the wheel, but I ended up replacing the whole thing at a price tag of $148 out the door. Replaced it and re-installed the belt in 20 min.

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

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To All;

Thanks for you input that is exactly what I was wishing for. I will let you know how this project turns out for me.

Carparts.com just e-mailed me and said that my order should be on the doorstep the 11th.

Thanks Again.
WD

 

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WDixon, I have nothing to add, just a second on the comment to make sure the belt is in all the grooved pulleys first, then slide it on the smooth one. Much easier this way!

Good luck..... John

 

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Originally posted by RHARVEY:
When you release the pressure off the belt, listen to see if there is any squeaks from the tensioner. I just had to replace mine and when I talked to the diesel mech at the Dodge dealer and I mentioned that I heard a squeak, he smiles and said that the tensioner was shot. I wanted to just change the wheel, but I ended up replacing the whole thing at a price tag of $148 out the door. Replaced it and re-installed the belt in 20 min.

Rick

Not sure what all you needed to replace but Carl's GPP may have been able to help. The heavy duty idler pulley was available from Practical Solutions.