Tips for changing drive belt

[CarFreakGT]

I'm sure that this question will sound lame to a lot of you who do a lot more wrenching than me, but here goes. Any tips for making it easier to change out the drive belt? I can never get the tang on the tensioner to line up w/o loosening the alternator. Then the alternator can be a real bear to get back on--especially w/ a new belt. I try using pry bars. I can get leverage, but just not enough room to get the pulley on the tensioner to travel far enough for the tang to line up. Any tips?

 

[HISSIN50]

What tang? The wear indicator?

I just use a breaker to get slop to get the old one off and new one on. Do you run a non-stock belt or something (accessory delete, etc)?

 

[srothfuss]

There is a specific sized socket that fits over the bolt on the the tensioner. Then slip a 3' pipe over the socket and use that to pull the tensioner up.... and off comes the belt!

 

[old_blue]

does it have a tensioner or did you get rid of it??? just fyi the tensioner is in between the alternator and power steering pump (more towards the passenger side) and the belt goes under it. you just put a socket on the nut and then turn counter clockwise. Make sure you have plenty of leverage though. I hope that helps. if not then just ignore me.

 

[luckythirteen13]

i belive the bolt on the tensioner is 18mm. just stick a wrench on that and pull up.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I just used a big flat balde screwdriver to pry the tensioner pulley up and loosen the belt. No trick to it.

 

[jaackal]

18mm socket with a ratchet, get a pipe to pull it up and its done....i wouldnt use no screw driver like mentioned above

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Yeah, and I wouldnt use no cheater bar either, so we're straight.