So I'm definitely no mechanic, except by necessity. After a bad squeal/rattle, the serpentine belt broke...I replaced the tensioner pulley and managed to get a new belt on all the way to the tensioner. Just how do I 'spring' the tensioner to get the belt on?
B-300
03-01-2007, 07:21 PM
I would use a wrench on the bolt head that holds the tensioner pulley and wind the spring in the tensioner. Then put the belt on.. You may have to have to start with the belt on the tensioner pulley and pull it onto a different pulley as you wind the tensioner spring.
I have used this method on a caravan and it worked.
--B-300--
Dodgevanman
03-02-2007, 06:49 AM
Just to add. The tensioner is rotate clockwise to release tension. You'll need a long ratchet or wrench so you have enough leverage.
gneal
03-02-2007, 07:31 AM
So I continue to "tighten" the bolt that holds on the pulley, and that will rotate and release tension on the whole assebly? I was cautious, as it looks like cast aluminum and I don't want to snap it. thanks
Dodgevanman
03-02-2007, 12:06 PM
Not the bolt that hold the tensioner assembly to the bracket, but the bolt that holds the pulley to the tensioner.
gneal
03-03-2007, 02:21 PM
Ok...need some more help! After installing the new tensioner pulley (I thought that was the root of the problem, as the bearings were shot) and the serpentine belt, the a/c comp. got smokin' hot oand burned the belt. So, at least now I know the compressor was the root of the problems, and the a/c didn't work anyway. So I get the shorter serpentine belt to by-pass the a/c comp. I could not get the belt installed according to the diagram...it's just too short. I double checked the belt number and even had my neighbor, who's alot more knowledgable than me, take a look at it.
We got the belt on by NOT putting it under the idler pulley, like the diagram shows. It runs fine...no noise at all. My concern is that it's just a tad loose. Has anyone had this come up before?
Dodgevanman
03-04-2007, 04:26 PM
Loose isn't good. How much longer do you think it needs to be? See if the parts store will allow you to go into the back room and compare the belt you have now with something a bit longer.
According to Advance Auto Parts' website, there were 3 different belts (w/air, w/o air, w/dealer installed air)
