Replacing belts, any tips?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Take digital pictures
Never hurts to take digital pictures as best you can before you start to make sure you have a reference if it doesn't seem so simple when you go back on with the belts.
On a side note: Isn't it amazing what the dealership wants to install some of the serpentine belts when they are inexpensive to buy from a parts store and some only require a 1/2 inch ratchet to change and about five minutes. Good luck.
On a side note: Isn't it amazing what the dealership wants to install some of the serpentine belts when they are inexpensive to buy from a parts store and some only require a 1/2 inch ratchet to change and about five minutes. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Carlisle PA
Talk about dealership ripoffs. My serpentine belt came off and they replaced a defective tensioner (covered by ext. warranty). But warranty didn't cover the belts or labor to put new belts on. Dealer (Chevy dealer near Mechanicsburg, PA) wanted to charge me $134 for the two belts plus an hour's labor ($79). I told them to forget the belts...went out and paid a hundred dollars less ($34) for both belts and told them to put them on. How can they in good conscience try to sell inferior quality belts for $100 more???????
This is when I really wish I had the skills and tools to do things like this myself. Thanks for letting me vent
This is when I really wish I had the skills and tools to do things like this myself. Thanks for letting me vent
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Heres an extract from an old post that may help:
"Wait for the engine compartment to cool first. Find the main belt tensioner (top pulley on passenger side), place a socket wrench on the tensioner nut and push it toward the middle of the engine until there is enough slack to remove the belt. Repeat this procedure for the A/C belt, its tensioner is a little harder to reach because it is under the power steering fluid reservoir. Before installing your new belts, some here recommend cleaning out the pulley grooves with a wire brush/emery cloth. Make sure to install the A/C belt before the main belt."
"Wait for the engine compartment to cool first. Find the main belt tensioner (top pulley on passenger side), place a socket wrench on the tensioner nut and push it toward the middle of the engine until there is enough slack to remove the belt. Repeat this procedure for the A/C belt, its tensioner is a little harder to reach because it is under the power steering fluid reservoir. Before installing your new belts, some here recommend cleaning out the pulley grooves with a wire brush/emery cloth. Make sure to install the A/C belt before the main belt."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Talk about dealership ripoffs. My serpentine belt came off and they replaced a defective tensioner (covered by ext. warranty). But warranty didn't cover the belts or labor to put new belts on. Dealer (Chevy dealer near Mechanicsburg, PA) wanted to charge me $134 for the two belts plus an hour's labor ($79). I told them to forget the belts...went out and paid a hundred dollars less ($34) for both belts and told them to put them on. How can they in good conscience try to sell inferior quality belts for $100 more???????
This is when I really wish I had the skills and tools to do things like this myself. Thanks for letting me vent
This is when I really wish I had the skills and tools to do things like this myself. Thanks for letting me vent
about. 
Just last week when you asked what was involved with doing it several of us posted viable responses on how to do it. I even posted diagrams of the two belts direction and pulleys etc. You don't need any skill other than a socket wrench and two hands.
Not so much as a response from you about what we told you. Makes me wonder why we bother sometimes and then you want to cry about what it cost you.
Suck it up and pay the dealer to do what a 10 year old could do. 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 46,003
Likes: 0
From: in hiding
I don't know what you're about.
Just last week when you asked what was involved with doing it several of us posted viable responses on how to do it. I even posted diagrams of the two belts direction and pulleys etc. You don't need any skill other than a socket wrench and two hands.
Not so much as a response from you about what we told you. Makes me wonder why we bother sometimes and then you want to cry about what it cost you. Suck it up and pay the dealer to do what a 10 year old could do.
about. Just last week when you asked what was involved with doing it several of us posted viable responses on how to do it. I even posted diagrams of the two belts direction and pulleys etc. You don't need any skill other than a socket wrench and two hands.
Not so much as a response from you about what we told you. Makes me wonder why we bother sometimes and then you want to cry about what it cost you.
Suck it up and pay the dealer to do what a 10 year old could do. 
in another thread...I'm trying to get some good advice in this one. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Willis Texas
Yesterday I replaced the AC belt tensioner. Also replaced with a new belt on the AC side. Also while I was into it I replaced the idler pulley. these items are cheap. Did not want to tackle taking the belt off again. Ended up crawling under the car to get the dam belt on. Good luck on the install.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Willis Texas
Also forgot to mention. If you have an automatic car, the two oil lines going the radiator drop down right infrount of the AC belt tensioner. besides trying to get you 15 MM socket and fighting the lines. I need to go to confession next week, the words that I spoke were not nice.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 46,003
Likes: 0
From: in hiding
Thanks to all that responded with valuable info