Help with Serpentine Belt
06-25-2016, 11:21 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Help with Serpentine Belt
So I removed my old belt due to wear and tear, and decided to replace it. I know I have the right belt and specs, but for the life of me I can not get it on the loop. How the heck? Do any of you have any advice or personal tricks on how to get the belt on? I spent 2 hours this evening trying to fit it on and either my hands are too big or it's just really really hard to do.
06-25-2016, 11:30 PM
#2
1/4 mile/AutoX
it's not real easy, you have to get it on the right pulleys in the right order, unfortunately I can't tell you what it is ??? (I don't remember)
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06-25-2016, 11:31 PM
#3
I just replaced mine two weeks ago. I did not think mine was going to go on too! Eventually I got it on. No tips to give you. Just words of encouragement. Someone will chime in soon hopefully with a trick. Good Luck.
06-25-2016, 11:48 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Thank you. Do you remember what sequence you used? Such as alternator, power steering, etc?
06-26-2016, 12:14 AM
#6
As Foggy said I think I did the tensioner last. I was standing on passenger side I remember. I was thinking I was going to ruin belt I had to use so much force to get on. I did not hurt it one bit, so don't be afraid to use some force. I used a Continental Elite (Gatorback). Just checking, but you did research there's two sizes for the C5 depending on year?
06-26-2016, 12:17 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
As Foggy said I think I did the tensioner last. I was standing on passenger side I remember. I was thinking I was going to ruin belt I had to use so much force to get on. I did not hurt it one bit, so don't be afraid to use some force. I used a Continental Elite (Gatorback). Just checking, but you did research there's two sizes for the C5 depending on year?
*Edit, I have a 1998 Vette.
Last edited by jaydaug99; 06-26-2016 at 12:24 AM.
06-26-2016, 12:25 AM
#8
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...4060802-a.html
I was confused when I was searching for correct size. Did lots of reading on here. I have a 99' so I got the 798.
Last edited by buckeye1872; 06-26-2016 at 12:27 AM. Reason: add
06-26-2016, 12:43 AM
#9
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route the belt over all the pulleys except for the waterpump... make sure the tensioner is fully open and do the waterpump last, the belt will just slide right underneath it... you can use a spray bottle with some water to give it a little lubricant and help coax it on
Last edited by neutron82; 06-26-2016 at 12:43 AM.
06-26-2016, 01:10 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
I guess I read the wrong article, because there was one that said I needed the 798. Oh well. Belt isn't on yet. I'll order the 802.. Nothing is ever simple with this dang car.
06-26-2016, 01:15 AM
#11
Last edited by buckeye1872; 06-26-2016 at 01:15 AM.
06-26-2016, 09:32 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
According to my past research there were several sizes in different brands that would work on my '01. The Dayton that came off mine would go on and off easily. The new Gatorback I replaced it with did the same. I have put 10K miles on it so far. Just make sure the pointer is in between the two marks on the tensioner.
Replacement belts must be close to the same length as the original. Low-quality replacement belts may not be the correct length and will push the tolerances of the tensioner. A belt that is too short, for example, will cause too much tension and put higher than normal loads on the bearings inside the alternator, power steering pump and water pump. A belt that is too long (just an inch or less) may slip, make noise and wear prematurely. It will also cause the tensioner to work harder and fail sooner.
Last edited by JR-01; 06-26-2016 at 09:59 AM.
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jaydaug99 (06-26-2016)
06-26-2016, 11:32 AM
#13
when i had my 2000, i had serpentine belt trouble, had to get it replaced, then it came off again, so took it to the dealer, found out some of the pulleys were out of alignment. that wasn't a fun 2 weeks.
06-26-2016, 08:08 PM
#14
Team Owner
If it isn't going on easy, you don't have the belt down into the pulleys correctly. It MUST be seated and centered on every pulley you go around or it will gain in diameter on that pulley and you won't get it around whatever one you do last. I seem to remember doing the tensioner or alternator last but don't recall. I'm not sure that really matters. If the previous pulleys are not right, the last one isn't going to fit regardless which you choose.
06-29-2016, 07:11 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
route the belt over all the pulleys except for the waterpump... make sure the tensioner is fully open and do the waterpump last, the belt will just slide right underneath it... you can use a spray bottle with some water to give it a little lubricant and help coax it on
Always install the belt over the largest diameter pulley last.
06-29-2016, 09:59 PM
#19
"My Dad's a TV Repairman"
As in the Froggy DIY, the best advice I can give you is to line it up everywhere but the tensioner, and to do this use some 100MPH or Gorilla tape to hold the belt to the bottom of the harmonic balancer- This is a great workaround.
AC belt? It'll drive you
... I fabricated my own tool by sawing a ratcheting closed end wrench in half, and sliding it into a long tube that I had pounded flat to clear the steering lines. Fun. Get creative, and by all means do it on a lift from the bottom.
AC belt? It'll drive you
... I fabricated my own tool by sawing a ratcheting closed end wrench in half, and sliding it into a long tube that I had pounded flat to clear the steering lines. Fun. Get creative, and by all means do it on a lift from the bottom.