serpentine belt problem

[jeff97]

i have to change my alternater on my 97 aurora and i cant figure out how to get it off. I read the other forum about the belt but i cant find the bolt or whatever it is i gotta get too.

[IT Geek]

The serpentine belt is kept at optimal tension with a spring-loaded tensioner. So, there isn't a bolt used to remove the bolt. Instead, what you need to do is relieve the tension to allow enough slack in the belt to remove it.

To remove the belt tension, first of all locate the tensioner. Looking down at the engine from the passenger side, the tensioner is a round aluminum piece that has a square hole in it. Place a 1/2" socket extension in the hole and push towards the front of the vehicle. While applying force to the tensioner, slip the belt off the power steering pump. Then you can release the tensioner.

I would recommend not removing the belt because it is a real pain to get back into place. With the belt off the power steering pump, there will be enough slack to remove your alternator.

[Sweet William]

I would recomend replacing the belt if you have not done so in the past couple of years. Your already there, why not spend the thirty bucks to avoid having it break when you need to get somewhere?

[zephram22]

Originally Posted by IT Geek

The serpentine belt is kept at optimal tension with a spring-loaded tensioner. So, there isn't a bolt used to remove the bolt. Instead, what you need to do is relieve the tension to allow enough slack in the belt to remove it.

To remove the belt tension, first of all locate the tensioner. Looking down at the engine from the passenger side, the tensioner is a round aluminum piece that has a square hole in it. Place a 1/2" socket extension in the hole and push towards the front of the vehicle. While applying force to the tensioner, slip the belt off the power steering pump. Then you can release the tensioner.

I would recommend not removing the belt because it is a real pain to get back into place. With the belt off the power steering pump, there will be enough slack to remove your alternator.

Thanks, I might actually be able to replease my belt tension now!

[zephram22]

Originally Posted by IT Geek

The serpentine belt is kept at optimal tension with a spring-loaded tensioner. So, there isn't a bolt used to remove the bolt. Instead, what you need to do is relieve the tension to allow enough slack in the belt to remove it.

To remove the belt tension, first of all locate the tensioner. Looking down at the engine from the passenger side, the tensioner is a round aluminum piece that has a square hole in it. Place a 1/2" socket extension in the hole and push towards the front of the vehicle. While applying force to the tensioner, slip the belt off the power steering pump. Then you can release the tensioner.

I would recommend not removing the belt because it is a real pain to get back into place. With the belt off the power steering pump, there will be enough slack to remove your alternator.

Although using a breaker bar to do it is fine, I found that it was much easier to remove and replace the belt after I got an articulating serpentine belt tool for 15 bucks. It allowed me to get much more leverage, and it was able to hold the tension off while I replaced the belt.