I was wondering if you guys have any tips on the AC belt.

I've read a couple threads on this belt being short and I special ordered the Gatorbacks so would hate to have to return them on lack of knowledge..

Is it short, or is there a real method to getting it on?

I will be doing this alone and was hoping for a walkthrough..

Thank you in advance for your help..

 

Storm,
I just had both of my belts changed yesterday with Gatorbacks. I had a small shop change them. He works on vettes in Ft. Myers. He had a hard time with the ac belt. But he changed it when it was pretty hot. I think it would be pretty hard for one person. I had to hold it on the crank pulley with a long screw driver so it wouldn't slide off. Then he put the drive belt on for the alt. and p.s. When I started it up the tension pulley was running at a slight angle. He was afraid the belt would come off so he ordered one up and they delivered right away and he put it on.
Don't know if this will help much. All the squeaking is gone. But keep an eye on that pulley.

 

You can do it but it's a pain! On my C5 auto its either the trans cooler lines or power steeing lines in the way (main blt is much easier). If you are working at least on ramps, have the main belt off, and perhaps have someone to pry the lines out of the way a littl, you will be ok. I did it myself with quite a bit of swearing.

 

The key is to take your time, don't force anything, and wear gloves.

It is not that bad - here's how I did it:

1. Tools needed - 15MM combination wrench, 15MM socket (1/2 drive gives more leverage, torque wrench
2. Take the 15MM socket on the main belt tensioner and push toward the driver side, slide belt off and remove
3. Take 15 MM combination wrench on the A/C tensioner (it sits low and to the left of the A/C compressor and push toward the ground to relieve tension
4. While holding the tensioner down, take the 15 MM socket on the A/C idler pulley and loosen and remove it - this will give you more slack - note there is a spacer and dust cover so you know how it goes back together
5. Once you take the idler pulley out, push down on the tensioner all the way and slip the belt off - it sounds worse than it is !
6. You are halfway there !!
7. Now take the new A/C belt and feed it around the crank pulley - feel to make sure it is seated in the grooves - push down on the tensioner with the 15 MM combination wrench - and feed it around the A/C compressor and over the tensioner - this is the hardest part so take your time - if your arms get tired take a break and come back - it took me 2 trys - the key is to push the tensioner all the way down
8. Release the tensioner & grab the A/C idler pulley, spacer, dust cover and bolt in one hand & with the other, push down on the tensioner & then install the spacer, idler pulley, dust cover & bolt & hand tighten
9. Take the 15 MM socket and tighten the idler pulley - then torque to 37 ft/lbs
10. Grab the main serpentine belt and feed it around the crank pulley, etc, leaving the water pump pulley til last
11. Take the 15 MM socket, push the main belt tensioner toward the driver side and slip the belt over the water pump pulley - release the tensioner
12. Double check and feel that the belt is fully seated in the grooves on all the pulleys
13. Step back and pat yourself on the back !!

You can do it all from the top - it took me about an hour and a half.

Make sure you use a fender protector to avoid scratching !!

 

Are these the correct part no. for Gatorbacks:
4040420 for AC 42 in.
4060775 77.5 in.
Thanks

 

Listen I've read allot of posts on techniques to do this but, what he explains is the best. I instead of using just myself had another person underneath holding the AC tensioner and was done in 8-10 minutes.

Removing the AC-Idler and attacking the AC tensioner on the bottom with another person gives you plenty of time and precision for alignment...not to mention gives your arms and hands a break.

Thank you, Point & Shoot your the man..

Part numbers for my belts from Goodyear are as follows: 4060802 and 4040420 both are Gatorback and were purchased from Autozone..

 

Here is the tab to the Goodyear site, it will take you to a page that ask for your vehicle specifics.



http://partfinder.veyance.com/

 

Well I was wondering when I wrote it if it was clear enough and I guess it was !! Great idea on have a second set of arms holding the tensioner down from the bottom...........I was not as lucky.

As far as the Gatorback belt #s, for a 2001 the main belt is 4060798 or 79.8 inches vs. the 4060802 which is 80.2 inches or a bit less than 1/2 inch longer - I guess either would work - the tensioner will rest back a bit further with the longer belt. I used the 798 and had no issues. Same AC belt # as you inidcate.

Keep an eye on the Gatorbacks. Because of the deep grooves, they don't hold up as well as the stock Daycos. After 21K miles mine were dried out and shot !! So I am trying the newer Dayco "Poly cog" belts which have the same type of grooves and the Gatorbacks just not as deep and the price is the same................their main belt is 80.0 inches long so go figure