can the a/c belt be put on from underneath c5. or do u replace it from the top ?? any suggestions would be appreciated thanks 
A/C belt broke
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Here's one someone posted that should help you
"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."
I did mine from above
"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."
I did mine from above
Last edited by DeeGee; Aug 3, 2008 at 03:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
see my post #4 in this link for some attached links from the archives....
you just need a breaker bar and a swivel or knuckel adapter. IF you don't have the forearm strength lean into it...
IT can be done from above.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=belts
you just need a breaker bar and a swivel or knuckel adapter. IF you don't have the forearm strength lean into it...
IT can be done from above.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=belts
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 6
From: NCCO Oklahoma
I do mine from the top. Remove the main belt, then slide the new AC belt in place. It's a MAJOR PITA to get the belt into position, so make sure there aren't women and small children around to hear your "colorful" language. 
I find that it's easiest to put the belt around the crank pulley, then under the tensioner pulley, then around the AC compressor. (It won't go all the way until you release the tensioner.) Pull back on the tensioner to maximum and slide the belt around the bottom edge of the compressor pulley and up over the idler pulley. You'll notice that it will catch on the sides/edges of the pulleys. Just work at it and you'll get it.
You might consider heating the belt by leaving it in the sunlight for a while to loosen it up and expand it some.
Food for thought: I threw my AC belt, replaced it... and 6 months later it threw again. I found out later that my tensioner was loose/broken where the arm connects to the body, causing the pulley to get slightly off center... throwing the belt. The tensioner should move to tighten the belt (obviously) but there shouldn't be any side-to-side movement. I got a new tensioner and I was good to go.
While you are under the hood, you might want to replace the main belt as well. I have used Gates and Gatorback belts. Both work well in my opinion.
Good luck.
Mark
I find that it's easiest to put the belt around the crank pulley, then under the tensioner pulley, then around the AC compressor. (It won't go all the way until you release the tensioner.) Pull back on the tensioner to maximum and slide the belt around the bottom edge of the compressor pulley and up over the idler pulley. You'll notice that it will catch on the sides/edges of the pulleys. Just work at it and you'll get it.
You might consider heating the belt by leaving it in the sunlight for a while to loosen it up and expand it some.
Food for thought: I threw my AC belt, replaced it... and 6 months later it threw again. I found out later that my tensioner was loose/broken where the arm connects to the body, causing the pulley to get slightly off center... throwing the belt. The tensioner should move to tighten the belt (obviously) but there shouldn't be any side-to-side movement. I got a new tensioner and I was good to go.
While you are under the hood, you might want to replace the main belt as well. I have used Gates and Gatorback belts. Both work well in my opinion.
Good luck.
Mark
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,819
Likes: 5
From: Annapolis Md.
a/c belt
Great advice from all!! Really do appreciate it. I have to still look at it closely. I just happened to notice my a/c wasn't putting out as it should. When i drove home i noticed under the car something was hanging. Got it up a little and saw it was the a/c belt. BUT!
it was chewd up but still not cut. A round belt.[ Now ],, I have an electric water pump and underpulley. Is that why it is still in one piece. cause if i had to take the serpentine belt off to get to it, that would mean the a/c belt would have to be cut. HOW can the a/c belt come off and still be in one piece?
