ok well, i searched the how to's and found "drive belt replacement" which is what i wanted. i click it and it just gives me a picture from the repair manual. i think i understand the picture, but im not sure. for reference to the how to picture:

http://www.greghome.com/images/Maxim...DriveBelts.jpg

now, tell me if my understanding is correct: so in the picture wherever it says loosen, i loosen that bolt. then once all the bolt are loose the belt will come off? and then i put the new one on the way it looks in the pictures and tighten them? also, thosealso, is there a rental belt tension tool from autozone or anyplace? cause im pretty sure ill need to check the tension afterwards.

if anyone feels like doing a mini write up for me it would be much apreciated. thanks!

 

No tool needed. Use the 90-degree deflection rule. Using your thumb and index fingeers, the belt should twist exactly 90-degrees between the crank pulley and AC pulley.

 

yeah, make sure you get the one bolt on the power steering belt. I forgot to take it off, and started cranking on the losening bolt, bent it all up. I still need to figure out how to fix that.

 

ok just baught the belts, will do them sometime this week. just wondering one thing:

what is the easiest/best way to get to the belts? im guessing taking off the tire and going through the wheel well?

 

I'm looking to do the same thing. IIRC, the manual said take off the tire and take off the wheel well cover.

 

It's possible to do it just by turning your wheel all the way to the right, but the easiest would be to jack it up, remove the wheel, and remove the plastic splash guard down there.

 

I replaced my belt tensioner when I did my alternator the second time. The new idler pully makes the engine so much quieter. I would recomment replacing it if your tensioner bolt is rusted.

 

In total there are two belts right? One small and one large belt? Can someone explain the process in more detail to replace this? I am going to change the belts this weekend and need your help. Thanks

 

I don't understand this. What is the 90 degree deflection rule? Do you yank out the belt?

 

How often have you guys replaced your belts?

 

Every 60k or so.

 

Thanx, that means I should probably change mine then since I have 114k on the max right now. Not sure if the dealer changed them @ 39k when I bought it or @ 60k for a major maintence cycle ( 1 of the very few times I ever brought it in to the stealership) but I have never changed them myself that I know.