96 Bonneville accessory belt replacement

[brujo54]

My '96 Bonneville 3.8 slung the belt yesterday (the tensioner pulley siezed up). I've got the belt and the routing diagram, but I can't see how to thread it through the motor mount brackets and the pulleys without taking a lot of things off. Have I fjust been looking at it too long to get it, or is this a major job?
Thanks in advance for any input.

[capernus]

brujo54,

In order to remove/replace the belt you must remove the lower motor support bolt and spacer. To locate, face the front of engine (it faces to the right front fender), and look below the coil pack and you will see the mount between the AC compressor and harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley). You do not need to jack up the engine or support it in any way. Simply remove the bolt and the spacer and you are in business.

Glenn.

[SkitzoControl]

capernus, I have a '95 Bonne and need to replace the same part, but every mechanic I've spoke to says you MUST support the engine when removing these bolts. Perhaps they're just trying to get the $100 labor?

[wafrederick]

You do have to jack the engine up to do this also.Make sure you have a block of wood between the jack and oil pan.

[HotZ28]

You do not have to jack the engine up to remove this spacer! Remove the nut first, then remove the stud with a torx socket. The stud may not come all the way out, but it will move far enough to allow the spacer to come out.

[wafrederick]

Yes you have to or it will be a pain to get the spacer back in.Sometimes the whole stud will come out with the nut still on.I was taught there is an easy way and a hard way.The easy way,jack up the engine is the way to go.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Yes you have to or it will be a pain to get the spacer back in.Sometimes the whole stud will come out with the nut still on.I was taught there is an easy way and a hard way.The easy way,jack up the engine is the way to go.

Feel free to do it your way, (the hard way) and I will continue to do it my way!