taking off serpentine belt

[oboytroyman]

So I attempted to take off the belt that connects to the alternator a few months back and I ended up almost stripping the nut!! I took it to my local shop and it turned out the ac compressor (i think that's what it was) froze solid! They said I would have to get a new or used unit to replace it or they could rig it up good. They ended up rigging it up somehow and i paid a lot less!

Now my belt is squeaking and i believe the other one is about to go...The other one though. I am nervous about taking it apart and where I should buy my belt (locally) napa or wherever to get the best product that fits right! Also, is the other belt pretty easy to handle? I don't have many tools at all..

thanks for your help forum..

I have a 92 sho mtx 198k getting it ready for a mi winter

 

[Irish Pride]

When you say they rigged it up, what do you mean? What did they do to the compressor.

You can get the belts at any auto parts store. Gates and Dayco are pretty common brands. All you need to change the belts are a 5mm Hex bit on a very long socket extension to loosen the tensioners and a 14mm socket to loosen the tensioner pulleys.

Loosen the nut on each tensioner pulley first and then use the 5mm hex to loosen the tensioner to get the belt off. Put new belt on and then tighten the tensioner with the 5mm hex and the retighten the nut on the pulley. Very simple process.

 

[rubydist]

btw, you need to take off the alternator belt to get the ps belt off/on.

I prefer the GoodYear and Gates brand belts, but the others are usually okay too.

 

[SHO---]

Remove battery and metal tray under battery.

Remove motor shock assembly thingy for easier access...

First loosen up the tensioner pulley's 14mm nut so you can perform the next task:

Tighten the 5mm Allen Head Tensioner bolt to put more tension on the belt, or simply loosen it to take tension off of the belt.

BTW: It helps to use a very long- (over 10 inches) and skinny 1/4" socket extension w/a 5mm Allen socket to do the above. You may have to also use a 1/4 to 3/8inch Socket Adapter cause the Allen sockets are usually sold to fit 3/8 socket wrenches, not 1/4 inch.

Once you get her where you want her, remember to tighten back up the tensioner pulley's 14mm nut that you previously loosened.

Repeat for the other tensioner/belt.

Hope that helped and Good Luck!