Here I am

Serpentine belt install help.

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Coolant Issue - Not covered in any posts I can find

Status
Not open for further replies.

TGVET

TDR MEMBER
I know its got to be easier than it looks. . But it appears that the electrical connection for the viscous drive needs to be removed the the lower left shroud attachment point in order to route the belt. I tried a couple of different ways of routing to no avail yesterday. What a pain. I have the entire shop manual and it does not specify EXACTLY how to do it. . Shows the routing diagram, that's it.
 
I was able to work it out without disconnecting any of that but I did my tensioner at the same time so I had that off which made it way easier since the tensioner arm goes over the belt, may want to try that
 
I was able to work it out without disconnecting any of that but I did my tensioner at the same time so I had that off which made it way easier since the tensioner arm goes over the belt, may want to try that



Without removing anything from the front ? Just weaving through and over the fan blades ? I removed my airbox for a little more access but still, I'm having a bi tch of a time.
 
I don't know if the belt routing on the 05's is different than my '03, but I've done mine and my wife's '04 without removing anything. It's a pain, but it can be done. The way that I do it is to drape the new belt down over the alternator pulley, then the A/C pulley, and just follow it around. I leave the slack at the A/C pulley. As I operate the tensioner from underneath, that pulley is the easiest to slide the belt up over because it's right there. Good luck!
 
I don't know if the belt routing on the 05's is different than my '03, but I've done mine and my wife's '04 without removing anything. It's a pain, but it can be done. The way that I do it is to drape the new belt down over the alternator pulley, then the A/C pulley, and just follow it around. I leave the slack at the A/C pulley. As I operate the tensioner from underneath, that pulley is the easiest to slide the belt up over because it's right there. Good luck!



Thanks Tim, gona try it again, hopefully get'r done this time. ;)
 
The confusion comes from the fact that the fan pulley is on the outside of the belt, not the inside. Your normal instinct tells you it should be on the inside.
 
They do go on without removing anything. Take a break, have a beer, then it will go on easily. Once you figure it out, it takes about 2 minutes. Just took an hour trying to install it like a V-belt - over the fan and oh crap, what's that tube doing in the way?
 
The HO's are not as much fun as the 03-04's. When they changed the fan shroud we lost a bunch of easy access. looking at the bright side we did gain 100hp
 
OK guy's, I printed the diagram (from my manual) it does have a very brief how to but that's it. After trying the long handled breaker bar which did not work as there is no hole alignment, I used my long handled ratchet torque wrench. First I relieved the tension (from above) then removed the belt which in doing so then reveals why it does not go over the fan as with other rigs.



I then laced the new green heavy duty belt on leaving it OFF the AC pump (contrary to the manual) then from the underside (on my back) placed the wrench on the tensioner and slipped it on. Now once done,it really is a "piece of cake".



The manual states, lacing it all on and doing the H2O pump pulley last which is next to impossible (unless the engine front is exposed). The new belt was considerably shorter than the OEM w/244K on it assumed from wear and stretch so following the OEM method was out. The new belt brought the tensioner back to a slightly higher position and seemed good and stiff still. I don't know what the expected life of it is, have read other post guy changing it but I see no reason at present.



Anyone doing the belt change should opt for the Gates (green back) HD belt, compared to the OEM, well, there is no comparison. I got mine from NAPA for $63. 00



Thanks again guy's for the tips. I didn't even need a beer afterwards it was so simple compared to my first two attempts. Oo.



If anyone needs any info from the manual, I have the entire shop manual on my puter. 107mb file.
 
Just did it on my Sons 04. 5 the process that I used was to not see it taken off (son did it) and then try to figure it out. Got SUPER PI**ED and had 2 beers. Then looked at the above post #6 had another beer. Put it on but had the ribs of the belt wrong. So back off and another beer. Slid it behind the tension-er correctly this time and the rest was pretty easy to figure. The tension-er was a PITA because my breaker bar didn't line up so I used a long handle ratchet and the last pulley that my Son slid the belt UNDER was the water pump. Its doesn't go over the fan. Got it all lined up fired up the truck and watched it go round and round and round and had 2 more beers. I think the total was 6 beers and A WHOLE BUNCH OF BAD WORD'S and an hour including beer drinking time. After you get it you will think not so bad. GOOD LUCK

BIG



PS I just thought about it WITH ANOTHER BEER. When I slid the belt between the eng block and the tensioner pully the ribs of the belt had to be toward the engine block so when its done the ribs will be on the correct pullys with ribs facing the right way.
 
Last edited:
Just did it on my Sons 04 the process that I used was to not see it taken off (son did it) and then try to figure it out. Got SUPER PI**ED and had 2 beers. Then looked at the above post #6 had another beer. Put it on but had the ribs of the belt wrong. So back off and another beer. Slid it behind the tension-er correctly this time and the rest was pretty easy to figure. The tension-er was a PITA because my breaker bar didn't line up so I used a long handle ratchet and the last pulley that my Son slid the belt UNDER was the water pump. Its doesn't go over the fan. Got it all lined up fired up the truck and watched it go round and round and round and had 2 more beers. I think the total was 6 beers and A WHOLE BUNCH OF BAD WORD'S and an hour including beer drinking time. After you get it you will think not so bad. GOOD LUCK

BIG



PS I just thought about it WITH ANOTHER BEER. When I slid the belt between the eng block and the tensioner pully the ribs of the belt had to be toward the enging block so when its done the ribs will be on the correct pullys with ribs facing the right way.





Nice description :-laf sounds like a good campfire story. Now to make it even more fun do it on a truck with the gear box brace in the way that hides any view or access from below
 
Bob I take back EVERYTHING I ever said about dealerships. You can take your job and keep it. I cant stand to work on things anymore. Its just to MUCH CRAP on these and other cars anymore. Even the Big trucks are getting the same way. I just cant stand the price of some of the work thats what bothers me. Parts for the job that I told you about were less that a couple of hundred bucks. But the BS THAT CAME WITH THE JOB WAS WITHOUT QUESTION A HUGE PILE OF BS. I dont know how you do it day in and day out. HANDS THE SIZE OF A CATCHERS MITT DONT HELP EITHER.

BIG
 
I just had the pleasure of replacing my long jake brake belt with the stock one. Yep, that's how it's done, beer, cussing, more beer. Slide the rib side between the block and the tensioner, once that is done the rest is almost fun. What made mine better was the rain coming down at the time. I did have an ocean background though. I get to enjoy this fun again after I replace the vacuum pump. Sure missed the brake towing along the California coast.
 
I thought I was the only one to have trouble with changing the belt. I almost sold the truck before I figured it out. Then, like mentioned above, a deep breath, think about it for the tenth time and crawl back underneath for the 30th time; it went right on. I did have help, but all his trucks are 2nd gens so it was morale support only. You do have to start by getting it around the tensioner, that's for sure. Seems then you feed it up over the crank...
 
:cool: It is refreshing to see a few honest men step up and admit that a water pump and or serpentine belt is no longer a 20 minute job
 
With 95,000 on my truck, it was time to change the belt. I opted for the Gates heavy duty unit from Geno's, it was only about 29 bucks. I also replaced the belt tensioner assembly. That too came from Geno's, the Cummins factory replacement unit. I didn't want to take any chances. After reading the interesting situations that occured changing this belt, I wasn't sure just what I was in for. I followed the advise other TDR members suggested and crawled underneath, relieved the tension on the belt and slipped it off the A/C pulley. A little tight, but it fits. Since I was changing the tensioner assembly, I then unbolted it. It looks like this traps the belt, so I can see what is making this job difficult. With the tensioner assembly unbolted, the belt comes right out, no problem. I was able to complete the entire job in about 40 minutes. That was taking my time and making sure I got it right. It really isn't difficult at all. BTW, discovered the bearings in the tensioner pulley were going bad after removing it and checking it out.
 
:cool: It is refreshing to see a few honest men step up and admit that a water pump and or serpentine belt is no longer a 20 minute job



BOB on the wife's Chevy Conversion it wouldn't be so bad (I THINK) not nearly the BS on it as on the 04. 5. But as you say above 20 min!!!! ( I cant even get the ice chest with beer and roll the tool box into place that fast) for anything on these trucks is A LITTLE FAR FECTHED. IMO. I also like the way that the lower rad. hose (engine end) is changed. Take off the passenger side tire and wheel well and its right there!!! On the 04. 5 it made putting the Water pump in place easier also. I dont think that it would have made it from the top because of the fan shroud support bracket and I didn't even try from the bottom. I now have a pit in the shop (inspections complete) and I dont think that I could have reached that far UP anyway.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top