AC belt replacement help
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 68
Likes: 17
AC belt replacement help
After diagnosing a squeak, I replaced the accessory idler and tensioner and have a new belt to put on too (I bought all 3 as a kit from RA). For the life of me I can't get the new belt on! Going by the belt part number the new belt it is .4 cm shorter than the original, would that really make a big difference?? Original belt number is 4PK1074, new belt is 4PK1070.
I'm picking up a set of stubby wrenches after work, my guess is my wrenches are too long and I'm not able to release enough tension on the tensioner to get the belt over it.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a trick to getting the AC belt back on?
I'm picking up a set of stubby wrenches after work, my guess is my wrenches are too long and I'm not able to release enough tension on the tensioner to get the belt over it.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a trick to getting the AC belt back on?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 276
From: Cincinnati Ohio
I can't share personal experience because my new belt and tensioner are still in the box in my basement but there are a number of youtube videos. One of the more interesting brute force methods uses a ratchet strap to pull the wrench on your tensioner. There were some less forceful methods that describe the sequence of which pully to to slide the belt over last.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,950
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
Your wrench is too long, are you working from under the car?
I did it from the top of car and used my smallest breaker bar and socket, maybe you are not getting enough leverage with the wrench.
I did it from the top of car and used my smallest breaker bar and socket, maybe you are not getting enough leverage with the wrench.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 15
From: Virginia Beach VA
When I did mine I was able to get the tensioner to move enough to get the belt on. I had to use a short wrench to do it and I did all of it from the top. I can say it was not much fun getting the belt on.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 68
Likes: 17
not enough leverage on the tensioner was definitely the problem. I ended up doing it from underneath and was able to get it. Not a job meant for big hands!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 8
Hello. Long time member here, but first time poster. I recently got back into Corvettes so I've been away from the forum for a while.
As for the A/C belt..... I just did a water pump, both belts, both tensioner, and both idlers on a 1998 C5 and I had zero problem fitting either belt. Of course I did the A/C belt and pulleys while the water pump was still off the front of the engine block so I had a lot more room to work from the top but the belt did slip right on. The belt I used was an AC Delco Gold 4K420
As for the A/C belt..... I just did a water pump, both belts, both tensioner, and both idlers on a 1998 C5 and I had zero problem fitting either belt. Of course I did the A/C belt and pulleys while the water pump was still off the front of the engine block so I had a lot more room to work from the top but the belt did slip right on. The belt I used was an AC Delco Gold 4K420
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
Just went through the same thing. The AC belt is a pain to get back on. But after watching many you tube videos, this is the way that was the easiest for me.
Wrap the belt around the Vibration Damper, above the tensioner pulley, around the AC compressor pulley, and this is the key: " above the idler pulley".
Now I know the belt has to go below the idler pulley, but to get started set it on top of the idler pulley. Then move the tensioner pulley towards the drivers side as much and as far as it will go, then you can slip on the belt below the idler pulley.
Also, while we are speaking about belts, you might want to try the Gator Back belt from Continental. This belt was developed by Goodyear and sold by Goodyear for a while. But they ended up selling their Belt division to Continental. It is advertised as the "Quiet" belt. Their are angled serrations cut across the ribs at about a 45 degree angel and I believe that is what makes it so quiet.
Wrap the belt around the Vibration Damper, above the tensioner pulley, around the AC compressor pulley, and this is the key: " above the idler pulley".
Now I know the belt has to go below the idler pulley, but to get started set it on top of the idler pulley. Then move the tensioner pulley towards the drivers side as much and as far as it will go, then you can slip on the belt below the idler pulley.
Also, while we are speaking about belts, you might want to try the Gator Back belt from Continental. This belt was developed by Goodyear and sold by Goodyear for a while. But they ended up selling their Belt division to Continental. It is advertised as the "Quiet" belt. Their are angled serrations cut across the ribs at about a 45 degree angel and I believe that is what makes it so quiet.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 4,661
Glad you've found a way to make it work. It can be challenging, even when the car is on a lift. Some things on a C5 aren't easily accessed....