Advice please on 4.6 Drivebelt -

[urbs4]

Hello all -

I am a former Fox owner, recently bought a 1997 GT that I could not pass up on, even after I thought that selling my Fox was the end to my Mustang hobby. I hate to ask what is probably considered a rudimentary question, but I bought a Haynes manual that contains a worthless photo of how to release the belt tensioner to replace the drivebelt. It looks to me like the photo in the book is one of the 5.0 tensioner, which I know how to do. Now - long story short, I find myself with no 4.6 experience, and I need to replace the drivebelt. Can someone tell me - there is what looks like a bracket spanning the two pulleys that make up the tensioner. It looks like I have to remove that bracket to get the 1/2 socket breaker bar in there to move the tensioner. Is that correct? Also - I thought I read on here that you turn the tensioner counter clockwise, but it looks to me like it should be clockwise, (ie: pushing down) is that correct? Maybe it's jut my 5 years of familiarity spent working on my 5.0, but to me, this 4.6 belt looks like a PITA to do - so any help would be greatly appreciated - Thanks in advance -

 

[5.0's 4 ever]

Yes you have to remove the bracket with the two nuts to gain access to the tensioner. After that put a ratchet on the tensioner and push down(clockwise) to release the tension on the belt.

 

[urbs4]

thank you - thats about what I figured - just wanted to be sure. Thanks!

 

[tomustang]

damn i don't even remember removing a bracket/nuts when i took off my belt

 

[TweekedGT]

Hello all -

I am a former Fox owner, recently bought a 1997 GT that I could not pass up on, even after I thought that selling my Fox was the end to my Mustang hobby. I hate to ask what is probably considered a rudimentary question, but I bought a Haynes manual that contains a worthless photo of how to release the belt tensioner to replace the drivebelt. It looks to me like the photo in the book is one of the 5.0 tensioner, which I know how to do. Now - long story short, I find myself with no 4.6 experience, and I need to replace the drivebelt. Can someone tell me - there is what looks like a bracket spanning the two pulleys that make up the tensioner. It looks like I have to remove that bracket to get the 1/2 socket breaker bar in there to move the tensioner. Is that correct? Also - I thought I read on here that you turn the tensioner counter clockwise, but it looks to me like it should be clockwise, (ie: pushing down) is that correct? Maybe it's jut my 5 years of familiarity spent working on my 5.0, but to me, this 4.6 belt looks like a PITA to do - so any help would be greatly appreciated - Thanks in advance -

You do not have to remove any brackets or bolts. i have a 96 and have changed my serpentine twice. You stick you breker bar in the socket hole on the tensioner and then pull the tensioner. Take the belt off and done. When you put the new belt on you have to thread it between the tensioner and a pulley and slide it over your last pulley but that's it. Don't take anything off.You'll see exactly what i mean when you start doing it. It looks like you have to take the bracket off but no. Just pinch the belt between two of the pulleys on the passenger side and wrap it around the last pulley. You'll see.

 

[tomustang]

You do not have to remove any brackets or bolts. i have a 96 and have changed my serpentine twice. You stick you breker bar in the socket hole on the tensioner and then pull the tensioner. Take the belt off and done. When you put the new belt on you have to thread it between the tensioner and a pulley and slide it over your last pulley but that's it. Don't take anything off.You'll see exactly what i mean when you start doing it. It looks like you have to take the bracket off but no. Just pinch the belt between two of the pulleys on the passenger side and wrap it around the last pulley. You'll see.

that's what i thought

 

[DropTopPony]

I also don't have to remove anything. Just insert ratchet end and push down..very easy.

 

[5.0's 4 ever]

Not all 96-98 4.6 mustangs have the black metal bracket covering the tensioner. If you have installed the updated tensioner as specified in SSM 13950 which is made out of steel not aluminum you have to take the bracket off to gain access to the tensioner. If you have the original tensioner then this do not apply to you.

 

[crazynorwegian]

I dont think this is the correct way to do it, but my belt shredded once when i was pulling into a parking lot. I just loosened the two bolts on the alternator, and the the alternator dropped forward. this took enough tension off the belt so i could slip the old one off, and put the new one on, then i just re-tightened the bolts and the belt was tight again