Serpentine removal/installation

[OutbackDiesel]

I checked the threads on serpentine belts and I could not really gather enough information to feel confidant about replacing mine myself. Could anyone outline the procedure, and location of the tensioner? I don't want to do something wrong and cause damage to the truck. Thanks for your help.

 

[MEGARAM]

Hi Outback,



I posted a couple threads related to Serpentine belt shift. I finally fixed the problem by replacing the tensioner and belt together. Here is how you replace the belt on a 1999 with AC.



First and above all, make sure you have a diagram (located on a sticker under the hood) for belt routing. Without that ,you will need to make a diagram prior to removing the belt.



You will need a 1/2 ratchet with a 1/2 (female) by 3/8 (male)adapter. The tensioner is located just below the alternator/generator. 1/2 way down the arm you will find the square 3/8 hole to place the wrench. I also made up a short piece of pipe to put on the end of the wrench as an extension to make holding the wrench easier. The tensioner has a lot of torque. Rotate the wrench counter clockwise to release tension on the belt. I also use a adjustable tie down strap connected to the end of the pipe and a hole along the body under the hood, to hold the tensioner in its relaxed belt position, while I remove the belt. Once you have the belt off of a couple pulleys, you can release the wrench. Feed the belt between the fan and radiator and drop it to the ground under the truck.



Feed the new belt between the fan and radiator from above and place it around the crank pulley and all others except the air cconditioner compressor pulley per the diagram. Pull the tensioner back again and secure with the tie down strap. I then feed the belt around the air conditioner compressor pulley while laying on my back under the front of the truck (very good access).

Check to make sure the belt is lined up on all pulleys, then release the tension on the tensioner. Remove wrench from tensioner and strap from truck.



Drop me an e-mail if you have any other questions, it really is very simple once you get started as long as you have the wrench, adapter, pipe extension and strap.



Again I have a 1999. I assume the arrangement is the same on newer models.

 

[OutbackDiesel]

Thanks Megaram, I am going to give it a try. I was concerned that it may be possible to install the belt too tightly or too loosely. I appreciate the time it took to write that thorough of an explanation.

 

[OutbackDiesel]

Wow... that was really easy. Actually easier than anything else I have done on my truck. I must have heard some kind of horror story or something a while back.

 

[MEGARAM]

Glad it went so well for you. Having/using the right tools is the trick!