Serpentine belt replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Serpentine belt replacement
When I was changing my oil I noticed that the serpentine belt is getting cracked. I’m headed on a long trip in two weeks and thought it would be a good idea to change the belt before the trip. How involved is the change?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
2 minutes to remove the old one (just pull the tensioner with a wrench)
11 minutes to figure out how it goes back on
2 minutes to install the new one (pull the tensioner back and slip it on)
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Purchase a gatoback belt if possible they are highly recommended
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
I agree, when mine got messed up all that was available to me in the short timespan i had to fix it was a dayco polycog belt and it has worked great. If gatorback is available, I would go for that though.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
just call your local parts store. The brand is goodyear if I remember correctly, and gatorback is a type of belt they make. A lot of parts stores can order them, but not all will have them in stock, so it really depends how fast you need it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I think gatorback was in the $30 range. well worth it. You should check your AC belt while you're there....but the AC belt is a little more fun to replace than the Serpentine.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
I put the Gatorback's on a couple of months ago. I found the AC pretty easy to replace. The main belt was a PITA... just a tad too tight, finally did get it on though.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
Gatorbacks are definitely worth the little extra money they cost. Wouldn't replace any belt on any car of mine with anything else. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
use a socket on the idler pulley nut attached to a wratchet or breaker bar with a swivel between the socket and the bar. That will allow youthe angel to move the tensioner enough to let the belt slip on.
slip it over the water pump last as it is a smooth pulley with no edge lip.
slip it over the water pump last as it is a smooth pulley with no edge lip.
