Serpentine Belt Replacement

[mercurysniper]

Ok folks, I am preparing to replace the serpentine belt on my 2000 5.3 Z71. It seems fairly easy until i get to the tensioner pulley. Do i need to completely unbolt and tensioner pully and replace it with a new one, or is there a way to release the tension on the pulley without removing it?

It would seem that since the tensioner it spring loaded that it would be ok to reuse and still achieve OEM spec'ed belt tension.

Does anyone have any information or experience with this that might help me out?

[dr_of_lovephd]

The tensor pulley should not need to be replaced. In my 89 chevy, it took until 2003 for the pulley to go out.

What I do to change the belt is to put a wrench on the bolt in the front of the pulley and use it as leverage to pull the tensor pulley up and release the tension. It is tough to hold the pulley up with one hand and put the belt on with the other, so I align the belt with all of the other pulleys first and then slide it under the tensor pulley last.

I do not know if that is the best way, but it worked for me everytime.

[wrparks]

Originally Posted by dr_of_lovephd

What I do to change the belt is to put a wrench on the bolt in the front of the pulley and use it as leverage to pull the tensor pulley up and release the tension. It is tough to hold the pulley up with one hand and put the belt on with the other, so I align the belt with all of the other pulleys first and then slide it under the tensor pulley last.

I do not know if that is the best way, but it worked for me everytime.

I agree, I'm sure there is a better way and a true mechanic may freak out, but that's what I've always done too. I've used everything from long adjustable wrenches to screwdrivers to pull the tensioner with no problem so far (knock on wood). Just watch those fingers. It also helps if you have 4 arms availible too, just make sure they don't stick their fingers in the way either. This works really well when the alternator goes out whilst visiting a female companion 150 miles away and your supposed to be at college so you can't call the parents to get them to fix it. The tool selection at autozone is limited at best.

[silverado122775]

Yep.. That is the only way I know how to do it.. depending on how many miles you have on your 2000. A pully may be required, however you will know this when you battery dies and you get a loud sqeal comming from under your hood