Help!! Somebody belt me
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Ma.
Help!! Somebody belt me
Well it's about time to change the drive belt and Altenator. Can someone please tell me where and how do I locate the pulley and release the tension on the drive belt? pic's would nice and welcomed also. Is this a tough job or just a PitA? Thanks in advance folks.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
On an L98 the tensioner is located on the RH side below the A/C compressor. There is a square hole into which you insert a breaker bar of a special flat tool so you can press the tensioner down to release tension of the serp. belt.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Ma.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Ma.
Sorry, I should have said it was a 96 lt4. The a/c is on the left hand side.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I broke off the temp sensor the first time I removed the belt. I bought a tensioner bar from Autozone real cheap. It will save you some injury over trying to do it with two wrenches. Did that the first time too.
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Jun 12, 2008 at 03:37 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O
This pic is just to give you an idea. I got a 16mm on the bolt, and a 20mm hooked onto it.
The way I have it in the pic, it would not pull enough to release the belt because of the sensor in the WP - the wrench would have to be mounted lower on the bolt, so that it would still clear the sensor. Remove the section of intake hose too.
Make sure the wrench is the exact size - you don't want it too slip. Or just do as RR1 said and buy the tool.
Not likely to cause damage lj... How's the belt look? I think they're good for 150k usually.
The way I have it in the pic, it would not pull enough to release the belt because of the sensor in the WP - the wrench would have to be mounted lower on the bolt, so that it would still clear the sensor. Remove the section of intake hose too.
Make sure the wrench is the exact size - you don't want it too slip. Or just do as RR1 said and buy the tool.
sorry to jack thread, just a question re the belt, mines a 90, it has 107k on the clock, how often should this belt be done and can it cause damage if it snaps? thanks
Last edited by schrade; Jun 12, 2008 at 07:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
All it takes is 1 wrench. Take off the TB plenum hose put the wrench on the tensioner pulley so it is below level with the cross member pointing to the pass side and with your left hand lift till it almost touches the coolant sensor in the WP. With your right roll the belt off of the alternator. Takes about 20secs.Be careful around the coolant sensor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Do yourself a favor and buy or rent the tool from the local auto store. This one is from auto zone for $25. I paid about $10 for a cheaper one. I've used it over 5 times in the past couple of years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
I found one at Sears with a ratcheting end. It was a bit more expensive, but very nice that I didn't have to disconnect the plenum or anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Ma.
Success! Thanks to all who posted. I ended up up making my own version of the spring tensioner tool. All I did was use a 1/4 inch drive 9" breaker bar and then I used another one with a long socket at the end to slip over the handle of the first one. Great leverage! I had the belt of in 3 seconds. The whole job only took about 45 minutes to do. (New belt, alt, and battery) 
Again, thanks guys!