Easy tips

How do you change the pulley on a serpentine belt?

How do you change the pulley on a serpentine belt?

Using the 3/8” ratchet, remove the bolt holding the idler pulley bolt. The bolt may have a clip on the backside of the pulley and a washer on the front. The washer, clip, and bolt will be re-used with the new pulley. Before proceeding, verify the pulley is the correct size. Now set it aside and move to the tensioner pulley.

When to replace serpentine belt tensioner — Ricks free?

A good belt tensioner will dampen the power pulses so much that the tensioner pulley arm barely moves. As the dampener wears the pulses cause the belt to flutter and that can be seen on the pulley arm. A belt tensioner pulley arm should not move more than 1/32”.

What causes a serpentine belt pulley to squeak?

The serpentine belt in your car powers the accessories such as air conditioning, power steering, the alternator, and waterpump. Tensioner pulley wear will cause your pulley to squeak.

Can a ratchet be used to remove a tensioner pulley?

To speed things up a 3/8” drive ratchet with a 15mm socket can be used to remove the idler pulley, but there is not enough room for the ratchet for the tensioner pulley. A ratcheting wrench works well for this. Another thing to know is how the belt fits on your vehicle.

How often should you replace the serpentine belt?

Serpentine belts can last for years and might only need to be changed once or twice over the life of the vehicle. The recommended industry standard is to inspect your belt at 60,000 miles for wear & tear and replace if necessary, and replace every 90,000 miles regardless of the appearance in order to reduce the chances of a breakdown.

How do you remove a serpentine belt?

To remove the serpentine belt, release tension off of the tensioner. Then grab the serpentine belt between the a/c compressor and alternator just pull it off. You do not need to take it far off.

What are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/ Drive Belt . Common signs include a squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, power steering and AC not working, engine overheating, and cracks on the belt.

How do you change the serpentine belt?

How to Change a Serpentine Belt Step 1 – Get Out Your Cars Diagram Step 2 – Turn Off Your Car and Keep It on Idle Step 3 – Pop the Hood Step 4 – Note How the Belt Functions Step 5 – Relieve the Tensioner Pressure Step 6 – Slide the Belt Off the Pulley Step 7 – Remove the Motor Mount Step 8 – Replace the Belt Step 9 – Clean Up

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Ruth Doyle