Serpentine belt question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Saint Cloud Florida
Serpentine belt question
Hello, when you replace the serpentine belt on a c5, it is only one belt that needs to be replaced or are there 2 belts on the car?
I checked the ribs on mine and they are getting worn down. I would like to get this installed when I take my car for a oil change, since I do not have a lift or many tools.
I was looking at the goodyear gatorback series from advance auto parts.
Part No.
4040420
Goodyear Gatorback Serpentine Belt
Serpentine Belt: Poly-V; With Air Conditioning
Part No.
4060798
Goodyear Gatorback Serpentine Belt
Serpentine Belt: Poly-V; Alternator; Power Steering
How much would this cost the dealer to install??
all feedback is greatly appreciated!
I checked the ribs on mine and they are getting worn down. I would like to get this installed when I take my car for a oil change, since I do not have a lift or many tools.
I was looking at the goodyear gatorback series from advance auto parts.
Part No.
4040420
Goodyear Gatorback Serpentine Belt
Serpentine Belt: Poly-V; With Air Conditioning
Part No.
4060798
Goodyear Gatorback Serpentine Belt
Serpentine Belt: Poly-V; Alternator; Power Steering
How much would this cost the dealer to install??
all feedback is greatly appreciated!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I bought the GATORBACK belts from AUTO ZONE. I'd agree that you might as well replace them both at the same time. You could keep one or both as road trip replacements, just in case.
They're not hard to do yourself with minimal tools. The labor cost at the dealership might be more than the cost of the belts.
Just follow the schematic to R&R them around the accessories.
They're not hard to do yourself with minimal tools. The labor cost at the dealership might be more than the cost of the belts.
Just follow the schematic to R&R them around the accessories.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
Holy Cow! $100??? But, I guess that's 1 hour minimum labor charge.
Both belts have spring loaded tensioners, so it's really, really, really simple to change them. No lift or jacking, just bend over and wiggle around in there a bit. Only tool is a socket (15mm maybe?) and a handle to pulll the tensioner over and pop the belts on and off. You might want to loosen and raise the intake bellows for more room, thats one screw clamp to loosen.
I bet some of the younger contortionist guys on here can do both belts in 10 minutes while downing a beer!
The Gatorback belts are pretty cool, I've had them for 5 years, look new run quiet.
DG
Both belts have spring loaded tensioners, so it's really, really, really simple to change them. No lift or jacking, just bend over and wiggle around in there a bit. Only tool is a socket (15mm maybe?) and a handle to pulll the tensioner over and pop the belts on and off. You might want to loosen and raise the intake bellows for more room, thats one screw clamp to loosen.
I bet some of the younger contortionist guys on here can do both belts in 10 minutes while downing a beer!
The Gatorback belts are pretty cool, I've had them for 5 years, look new run quiet.
DG
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I'm fresh out of Windex and since my crystal ball is dirty, I can't tell how much a dealer near you will charge. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 3
From: Miami, FL
shouldn't be more than 1 hour labor charge...
i replaced both of my belts and tensioners with the car on the floor, from the top, the A/C tensioner and belt are a pain to get to, but is doable...
i replaced both of my belts and tensioners with the car on the floor, from the top, the A/C tensioner and belt are a pain to get to, but is doable...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
I ran my car up on ramps to get easy access to the AC tensioner. The AC idler pulley, main belt tensioner and idler pulley are very easy to get to. The main idler pulley is easier to get at from underneath, but is doable from the top.
If you have the dealer do it, they will use their belts. The main serpentine belt they quoted me was $179!!!!!! That was not including labor, or the AC belt. I just figured I would buy the belt from the dealer and install myself. I went to Autozone and got Goodyear Gatorbacks. Main belt was $27 and the AC belt was $17.
If you have the dealer do it, they will use their belts. The main serpentine belt they quoted me was $179!!!!!! That was not including labor, or the AC belt. I just figured I would buy the belt from the dealer and install myself. I went to Autozone and got Goodyear Gatorbacks. Main belt was $27 and the AC belt was $17.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Saint Cloud Florida
I ran my car up on ramps to get easy access to the AC tensioner. The AC idler pulley, main belt tensioner and idler pulley are very easy to get to. The main idler pulley is easier to get at from underneath, but is doable from the top.
If you have the dealer do it, they will use their belts. The main serpentine belt they quoted me was $179!!!!!! That was not including labor, or the AC belt. I just figured I would buy the belt from the dealer and install myself. I went to Autozone and got Goodyear Gatorbacks. Main belt was $27 and the AC belt was $17.
If you have the dealer do it, they will use their belts. The main serpentine belt they quoted me was $179!!!!!! That was not including labor, or the AC belt. I just figured I would buy the belt from the dealer and install myself. I went to Autozone and got Goodyear Gatorbacks. Main belt was $27 and the AC belt was $17.
Guys, thank you all for your help, Vinny if i was in VA i woulda stopped by with a 6 pack , thanks again!
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,754
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Do you have any friends that are even a little bit mechanical? It is really an easy job.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Check both tensioners. If you can move them easily with your hand, it's time to replace. They should be very tight. With the drive belt tensioner, you're going to push it towards the drivers side, the AC tensioner you push down towards the ground. Good luck, not hard at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Good post by NC99.
Get yourself a 15mm racheting wrench with the flexible head. This is what I used for the tensioner. Worked perfectly. Also comes in handy when taking off the oil drain plug. Looks like this:
Get yourself a 15mm racheting wrench with the flexible head. This is what I used for the tensioner. Worked perfectly. Also comes in handy when taking off the oil drain plug. Looks like this:
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
I replaced mine last year and it was much simpler than I thought it would be. Although, while I was in the middle of it, I thought it was a major PITA, now that I've installed my supercharger, I can only wish the belt swap would be that easy again. Putting the belt on with the supercharger is FAR FAR more challenging. Count you blessings.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 1
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '07
I will install both belts for free. I live in Cocoa Beach, FL and work in Orlando, FL at the airport. I will be in Orlando tomorrow Dec 26 so call me 321-987-7741 Steve. It would not be right to allow you to go to the stealership.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: CORONA SO CAL
Holy Cow! $100??? But, I guess that's 1 hour minimum labor charge.
Both belts have spring loaded tensioners, so it's really, really, really simple to change them. No lift or jacking, just bend over and wiggle around in there a bit. Only tool is a socket (15mm maybe?) and a handle to pulll the tensioner over and pop the belts on and off. You might want to loosen and raise the intake bellows for more room, thats one screw clamp to loosen.
I bet some of the younger contortionist guys on here can do both belts in 10 minutes while downing a beer!
The Gatorback belts are pretty cool, I've had them for 5 years, look new run quiet.
DG
Both belts have spring loaded tensioners, so it's really, really, really simple to change them. No lift or jacking, just bend over and wiggle around in there a bit. Only tool is a socket (15mm maybe?) and a handle to pulll the tensioner over and pop the belts on and off. You might want to loosen and raise the intake bellows for more room, thats one screw clamp to loosen.
I bet some of the younger contortionist guys on here can do both belts in 10 minutes while downing a beer!
The Gatorback belts are pretty cool, I've had them for 5 years, look new run quiet.
DG
Do it yourself.................they will have both on if 5 minutes and charge you 100 bucks ..........its fricken rediculas.
Or maybe someone from your area on this board will chime in and come over to show you.......its all of a 10 minute job.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Your local mechanic may be able to do this easily. The process is practically the same for the LS series engines in the trucks and SUVs. He probably has changed plenty of them for a lot less money. Just make sure he knows how to get the car on a lift and where to lift. Let him use your lift pucks when he puts the car on the lift.
Bill
Bill