Serpentine belt replacement question

[bobmga62]

I plan on changing my serpentine belt this weekend on my 96 blazer.. in the past dealers have ripped me off on this

I understand I just need a pry bar to treverse the tension on the spring in the tensioner... is this correct..

does anybody out there have the trick to do it....

thanks


Bob

[TonyMazz]

Originally Posted by bobmga62

I plan on changing my serpentine belt this weekend on my 96 blazer.. in the past dealers have ripped me off on this

I understand I just need a pry bar to treverse the tension on the spring in the tensioner... is this correct..

does anybody out there have the trick to do it....

thanks


Bob

For my 99......

No trick really , what I do is take a 3/8" ratchet with a 1" extension, insert into the slot on the tensioner and pull, moving the tensioner inward. Take the other hand and pull off of the idler pulley, release the tensioner and work the belt off.

Slide the new one on over all the pulleys except the idler, use your ratchet/extension move the tensioner inward again and put the belt under the idler and volia you are a serptine expert.

It takes me about 15 minutes total, including a sip of beer to do mine..and I do it about every 45-50K or when I think the belt is getting ragged.

[bobmga62]

Thanks Mark..

I think the sip of Beer is the most important factor.... especially here in the Norteast we're supposed to hit 100 degrees tomorrow.. (& last night it was 50!!)))

thanks again!!!!!!

R

[blazee]

It only takes me a couple minutes. I don't use a ratchet, I just push the tensioner in with my left hand and pull the belt off the idler with my right. Remove the old one, route the new one, leaving the belt off the idler, then I push in the tensioner with my left hand and slip the belt on the idler with my right. piece of cake.

[TonyMazz]

Originally Posted by blazee

It only takes me a couple minutes. I don't use a ratchet, I just push the tensioner in with my left hand and pull the belt off the idler with my right. Remove the old one, route the new one, leaving the belt off the idler, then I push in the tensioner with my left hand and slip the belt on the idler with my right. piece of cake.

Must be because you take "enhancement" drugs haha.....

[BlazerLT]

Remember to put the rachet on the rotating part of the tensioner to spring it back. The part that is in contact with the belt.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by TonyMazz

Must be because you take "enhancement" drugs haha.....

[Allbert]

Originally Posted by blazee

It only takes me a couple minutes. I don't use a ratchet, I just push the tensioner in with my left hand and pull the belt off the idler with my right. Remove the old one, route the new one, leaving the belt off the idler, then I push in the tensioner with my left hand and slip the belt on the idler with my right. piece of cake.

I do it the same way, except I use my right hand to push on the tensioner and my left to handle the belt. I've always been impressed with how easy this maintenance task is on the S-10s and Blazers.