I have a 95 GLE with a partially torn inner belt. I took it to midas and they quoted me $120, and they said that would include changing the other belt which isn't currently torn at all. That seems like a rip off to me, and I would rather do it myself. I was wondering how hard of an operation it is, and if anyone has a link to a how-to guide (I apologize for asking in a thread, but I checked the faq's and existing how to's, and the search is currently turned off). Any help would be greatly apreciated.
Btw, thanks to help I recieved on this board I saved a bunch of money doing my brakes myself, and they are perfect.

Thanks,
Nick

 

Hi, my belt is squealing, too. I just got a quote from dealer. They asked for $120 to replace two belt. I know the belts themselves just cost about $25~30. Just the labor cost a lot. BTW, can I change the AC belt from top? Or I have to change it from bottom? How to know the belt tension is correct or not without using special equipment?

 

good questions, im ready to change mine also. and i would like to know how to do this

 

I wrote the how-to for changing belt in the how-to stickie.

it is a 30 minutes job

about another hour if you want to change the powersteering belt too.

 

never mind...I only have the powersteering belt replacement in the stickie.

here is the how-to for drive belt.

1.jack up the passenger side of the car and put it on a jackstand. The remove the mud guard
2.loose the nut on the tensioner pulley (the pulley that pushes down the belt.
3.use a 14mm socket with extension - loose the belt tension thru the tension adjusting rod. (the gold color rod) by turning it counterclock-wise.
4.Remove the belt and install a new one
5.turn the tension adjusting rod clockwise to tighten the belt.
6.check tension - bend the section of the belt between your crank and AC compressor, you should be able to bend it to 90 degree.
7.tighten the nut on the tensioner pulley.
8.start the car and make sure there's no funny noise or smell.

 

It not failry hard or complicated job. It just quite a task getting under there with the mud guard removed so you can access to the belt pulley.

 

PM me with your email and I will send you the page of the shop manual with the torque/deflection settings.

Took me a while because i couldn't reach the bolt to loosen the larger belt. Took some streching from the top and a 1/4" breaker bar because my ratchet would not fit.