ThreePointO

iTrader: (3)

the serpentine belt has been squeaking, especially on startup, for a while now and im tired of listening to it. I was going to replace it last fall but had no idea how to replace it. i cant even see most of it from the top so im jsut not sure how to even begin. is it a really big p.i.t.a?

(Ide rather not put any belt dressing on the belt cause i did that on another vehicle i owned and it ended up making things worse)

im sure there is a post somwhere about this but im in class right now and wanted to go to autozaone when im done for the day and dont have time to look through everything.


thanks in advance.

louis

JwaxMax99

iTrader: (14)

Loosen the tensioner pulley lock bolt, loosen tensioner top bolt. Remove old belt. Reinstall new belt, retighten.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

If you have enough time to post, you have enough time to search.

wai18

is it hard to replace both belts? do i have to remove the wheel and go under the car to loose the bolts?

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

No, yes, yes.

Well you don't have to remove the wheel, but it makes it easier.

Changing the PS belt is a PITA your first few times, but the AC/Alt belt is a piece of cake.

bamboomerang

iTrader: (14)

If you weren't able to see it, how did you know it needed replacing? loose does not always equal worn out.

1) check the tension, and 2) if its tight, ask yourself if you spilled any lubricants on it (ie, PS flush) and greased it up. If so, simply degrease and rinse.

Mine was squeeking, and when I went to tighten the tensioner (remove front pass wheel and the little fender liner dog door), where the tensioner bolt is supposed to sit in that bracket that gives the nut something to tighten against, the whole bolt was somehow bent out of place and resting against the outside of it. !?

Just hope your car wasn't previously owned by an evil giant who overtightened and stripped every bolt on your car.

ThreePointO

iTrader: (3)

well ill check to see if its just loose. it squeaks the most when its cold and then usually as it warms up it stops. i had a pinhole PS leak right at the bottom of the canister or at least that's what fire$tone told me when i went there for tires. i suppose that could cause the squeak but idk. all my cars seem to have a problem w/ the squeaking belts.

Oldmanrwa

iTrader: (4)

How many miles on the belts? If they are over a year old just replace all. It takes patience but is not a hard job.

dual

How much play should each belt have when they are replaced? Or how do I know if it's too loose or tight?

I'm about to do this for the first time and don't know anyone locally who has replaced them.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Generally it's by feel, it just takes a while to be able to get it right that way though.

For actual specs:

Dan_E_Boi84

iTrader: (3)

Too loose... It squeals....
Too tight.... Something breaks...
That's how i figured it out!!! JUST REMEMBER!!!! LEFTY LOOSENS THE BELT!!!! RIGHTY TIGHTENS THE BELT!!!! It has opposite threading on the tensioner stud!!!

ik95

guys help me out with this...is it true about the opposite threading????...so i need to do the opposite?????? im having problems with a VERY LOUD squeaking at start up and when i turn on heat

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

See the image in post 3, or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJzpTHIky18