Common questions

What do I need to replace my auxiliary belt?

What do I need to replace my auxiliary belt?

Tools you need to replace your auxiliary belt Many belts can be replaced with a basic tool kit. Removal is a matter of releasing the tension applied to the belt (often via the tensioner, sometimes via the alternator mounted on a swinging bracket) and sliding off the belt.

What does a car’s auxiliary drive belt do?

What does a car’s auxiliary drive belt do? Home | What does a car’s auxiliary drive belt do? Auxiliary belts are used to drive the air-conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump and the alternator, and are connected to those components from the crankshaft pulley.

What happens when you slip an auxiliary belt?

In the event of a slipping belt you may find the components it’s powering struggling to work – intermittent power steering, flickering lights etc, and you’ll pretty much always hear the belt squealing particularly when you first start the car from cold. The embarrassingly loud nose will increasing in pitch as the revs rise.

How many miles does an auxiliary belt last?

How long an auxiliary belt lasts depends on how much use the car gets, and the recommended service intervals. It’s not unusual to get 50,000 miles from a belt, but at the same time don’t be surprised if yours lasts a lot less time – particularly if it becomes contaminated with oil or similar.

Tools you need to replace your auxiliary belt Many belts can be replaced with a basic tool kit. Removal is a matter of releasing the tension applied to the belt (often via the tensioner, sometimes via the alternator mounted on a swinging bracket) and sliding off the belt.

What does a car’s auxiliary drive belt do? Home | What does a car’s auxiliary drive belt do? Auxiliary belts are used to drive the air-conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump and the alternator, and are connected to those components from the crankshaft pulley.

In the event of a slipping belt you may find the components it’s powering struggling to work – intermittent power steering, flickering lights etc, and you’ll pretty much always hear the belt squealing particularly when you first start the car from cold. The embarrassingly loud nose will increasing in pitch as the revs rise.

How long an auxiliary belt lasts depends on how much use the car gets, and the recommended service intervals. It’s not unusual to get 50,000 miles from a belt, but at the same time don’t be surprised if yours lasts a lot less time – particularly if it becomes contaminated with oil or similar.

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Ruth Doyle