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1st Gen How-To: Change your belts (P/S, A/C, Alternator) 2.4/2.7L

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by The Parts Whore, Dec 29, 2009.

  1. Dec 29, 2009 at 4:45 PM
    #1
    The Parts Whore

    The Parts Whore [OP] Slinging parts since '03

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    Happy belated Christmas and early New Year fellow TW enthusiasts. I'm enjoying my PTO days and decided to change all 3 belts (power steering, water pump/ac, and alternator belt) just because they were old due to age not mileage. They weren't squeaking or anything, actually perfectly good belts with less than 60k miles on them. I did it purely out of being anal-ness and boredom. :D

    *Disclaimer: Read the instruction carefully and do it at your own risk, I will not be held liable/responsible if you break any parts or cause harm to yourself during the install or after. I try to be as detailed as possible, if you still don't get it, you're just SOL! jk. The following methods that I took were the best and easiest way for me to complete the task. Try to take your time, and don't "force" anything. :p

    Belts were from Autozone - Duralast brand. Here are the parts number:

    Power Steering: 440K4 - The 440 means the length of the belt, 44.0"

    Water Pump/AC: 342K4 - Same thing, 34.2"

    *Alternator: 340K5 - Take a guess...lol

    *Note: Alternator belt size must be 34.0". I've read in a couple of threads saying that 34.0" won't fit and you'll need 34.5" or 35.0" belt...they're wrong. Anything higher than 34.0" will have too much play in them and won't have the necessary tension needed.

    IMG_4137_f3e5dfb2cf4a991266b7b143d727fdf607331e5c.jpg

    Just in case anyone decides to stick with OEM, here are the parts number for that as well. I chose Duralast because they were 1/2 price of OEM, and I change the belts often enough that brand doesn't really matter.

    Power Steering: 90080-91125 (4PK1110)

    Water Pump/AC: 99364-20870 (4PK870)

    Alternator: 90916-02337 (5PK865)

    Basic tools you'll need:

    1. 3/8 rachet
    2. 3/8 torque wrench
    2. 3" & 6" 3/8 extensions
    3. 10mm socket & wrench *racheting wrench is a plus
    4. 12mm socket & wrench *racheting wrench is a plus
    5. 14mm socket & wrench *btw this wrench helps greatly!
    6. Flashlight
    7. Common sense & patience

    IMG_4146_4c763e57f74f08784ac8fa6883d8d85528491753.jpg

    Removing old belts:

    Step 1. Remove the front skid plate (4) 12mm bolts.

    Step 2. Remove the (2) bolts on top of the fan shroud.

    IMG_4106_fe0d5aaadc0960da87af766bd1e1f3a3d2fac6e8.jpg

    Step 3. Remove the (4) bolts holding the fan shroud to the radiator. *Do not try to remove the fan shroud, let it sit there.

    IMG_4107_a97ca8a35fbf022269e614aae92b5eb3b27b044f.jpg

    Step 4. There are (4) clips holding the half-moon plastic piece to the fan shroud. Just push the clips out and you should be able to remove it easily to have more space for the belts removal in a bit.

    IMG_4108_99cac5d1fab04bca38461c3879e4d8b367b91a22.jpg

    Plastic piece

    IMG_4112_b42f5c3984134904ddd25fb81364e308551b9cfc.jpg

    Removed

    IMG_4113_cc58a6e16e86ddaeb9efc61becbccfd702deda10.jpg

    Step 5. Start removing the power steering belt first and work your way to the alternator last. Use the 14mm wrench for the locking nut and 14mm socket for the adjusting bolt, loosen them only...do not remove. Remove the belt and maneuver the belt around the fan.

    IMG_4119_6dbe74c9d5275e5c67ad0de348a4a37f738aef01.jpg

    New vs Old

    IMG_4120_3ec6e3771bd8cfada315859fc5f5dde729577b3b.jpg

    Part number for the OEM belt (Power Steering)

    IMG_4123_6830c216e357735761e053fcaff5aa37a3585db3.jpg

    Step 6. Water pump/AC belt - same thing, use the 14mm wrench and 14mm socket to loosen the idle pully locking nut and adjusting bolt for the water pump/ac to remove the belt.

    IMG_4124_9142762d3b8a4ccaae58e9060595824d7dac5a98.jpg

    New vs Old

    IMG_4132_5c4c6ac37f4a8ca0df99b7336dec4292a71fc4f4.jpg

    Part number for the OEM belt (Water Pump/AC)

    IMG_4128_899c7ac3a8b660e80c8578b8d787f88fffe6af8a.jpg

    Step 7. Use the 12mm socket for the locking bolt, 12mm wrench for the adjusting bolt, and 14mm socket for pivot locking bolt. I find it easier to remove the nut instead of the pivot locking bolt. Use PB Blaster if needed.

    *Torque = 21 ft-lbs locking bolt, 43 ft-lbs pivot locking bolt.

    IMG_4130_e4f3479b8bf265f95f60644f235a32d1b9ea212a.jpg

    IMG_4129_71cde8228edca7586fff131c5cc042782eb9065f.jpg

    IMG_4134_8ba88470486e51a88a54778dbfbe002106b61bd5.jpg

    New vs Old

    IMG_4135_c83bf6929fa432f806dcf0fcc2d6c7516d990c3c.jpg

    Part number for the OEM belt (Alternator)

    IMG_4145_0d44fd52e8a1430fd82796c1f3e4873026e1aaf7.jpg

    Installing the new belts:

    Step 8. Work in reverse, start with the alternator belt. Slip on the new belt, and torque the pivot locking bolt to spec (you can hand tight the locking bolt.) Adjust the tension of the belt.

    IMG_4139_fa94f4789091628b615f27ae3a64aaea95d7531f.jpg

    IMG_4140_949db0597f3822f8a152323dbe5b8942411b082a.jpg

    Step 9. Install the water pump/AC belt. Tighten the idle pulley locking nut and adjust the tension of the belt as needed.

    IMG_4141_c703d06a1d2bd727ab654a8ad7f1440fe3a1c0f3.jpg

    Step 10. Install the power steering belt. Tighten the locking nut and adjust the tension of the belt as needed.

    IMG_4148_6618f83eb01106051f55e6af8630102daeadbd3d.jpg

    Step 11. Reinstall the half-moon plastic piece to the radiator fan shroud.

    Step 12. Reinstall the (4) bolts of the fan shroud to the radiator.

    Step 13. Reinstall the (2) bolts on top of the fan shroud.

    Step 14. Reinstall the (4) bolts to the front skid plate.

    Step 15. Start the truck and see if there's any irregular noises/squeaks and tighten as necessary.

    Thank you thank you, you're all welcome. Feel free to rep away biotches! :D
     
  2. Dec 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
    #2
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky
     
  3. Dec 29, 2009 at 5:32 PM
    #3
    JDMcQ

    JDMcQ Well-Known Member

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    Nice work!
     
  4. Dec 29, 2009 at 6:11 PM
    #4
    The Parts Whore

    The Parts Whore [OP] Slinging parts since '03

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    No need to sticky it yet.

    I'll make a 1st gen maintenance thread that will include all of my DIY crap in there.

    ie. Changing your spark plug, changing your belts, greasing driveshaft, oil change, tranny change, differential change, change the back light of your cluster to LED white, LED dome lights, and any other shit I can come up with. :eek:
     
    BrowncoatYoda and tacopablo like this.
  5. Oct 15, 2010 at 12:14 PM
    #5
    Caligula

    Caligula Well-Known Member

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  6. Oct 15, 2010 at 5:00 PM
    #6
    Cire

    Cire Well-Known Member

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    I love this post!!! I am very visually oriented and love to see all the pictures you posted along with the directions. VERY Cool. Greatly appreciated from those of us new folks on this site that arent as wrenchy as the next guy. = )

    Thanks!!!

    Eric
     
    Gunnys taco likes this.
  7. Oct 15, 2010 at 5:04 PM
    #7
    pittim

    pittim mittip backwards

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    It’sa Lexus, boogie woogie woogie
    man that PS tensioner is so much easier to get to on the 4cyl compared to the 6.
     
  8. Feb 28, 2011 at 9:52 PM
    #8
    Johnnie

    Johnnie Well-Known Member

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    What happened to the pictures?
     
  9. Mar 13, 2011 at 7:29 PM
    #9
    Oldnewbie

    Oldnewbie New Member

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    Why oh why did I try and loosen the tension without loosening the locking nut?? Why, because I hadn't read this wonderfully done threat. Now, I have to by another pulley assembly for the power steering, cause it will probably be easier than getting the broken bolt out and finding a replacement.

    This is the first thread I've viewed on this site and the reason I just registered.

    You've just improved my quality of life man!
    [​IMG] :D [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  10. Apr 25, 2011 at 5:19 PM
    #10
    Pikerup

    Pikerup Member

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    Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!
     
  11. Apr 25, 2011 at 5:30 PM
    #11
    SpazzyB

    SpazzyB Master of the Prius...

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    I broke the bolt on the tensior too. I pulled the tensior assembly and replaced the bolt...took me 15mins and a $.25 bolt from the hardware store.
     
  12. Apr 25, 2011 at 6:01 PM
    #12
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    I did one on a 2.4 (not mine) and I recall the alternator belt being an absolute bitch to get around the alternator pulley... did you have the same issue? I had the tensioner all the way loose and it still took a lot of pushing, prying, and cussing to get it back on.
     
  13. Aug 7, 2011 at 11:38 PM
    #13
    beedoola

    beedoola Well-Known Member

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    I'm gonna be changing my belts tomorrow and I had a question regarding the awesome write up above.

    Does the:

    refer to torque specs for all the corresponding locking and pivot locking bolts?
     
  14. Aug 8, 2011 at 10:57 AM
    #14
    beedoola

    beedoola Well-Known Member

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    anyone? please :)
     
  15. Aug 27, 2011 at 4:57 PM
    #15
    Allen9621

    Allen9621 Well-Known Member

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    Taking off the skid plate (at least on a '96 4x4) is actually unnecessary unless you have a short arm reach from above. There was room on mine to reach down to all the adjuster bolts. How to remove the skid place is not immediately self-evident on the 4x4, unless mine was "glued" on by road grime. I removed 3 bolts in front and 2 in back but couldn't get the plate to budge. No other bolts seemed like they ought to be removed. So I tried the belt-change without removing the plate and was able to reach the lowermost adjustment bolts without extreme stretching. It saved a good deal of extra work.

    The metal clips connecting the two sections of the fan housing were fragile and kind of a hassle to remove. One lost its tension and had to be squeezed back into shape. You have to remove the top water hose to take the fan shroud all the way off, which is ideal but not necessary.

    My (Toyota brand) PS pump belt was very tough to get past the lip on the wheel(s) but fit fine once seated. The other 2 belts had plenty of slack.

    I would add all torque specs, if possible. The Toyota factory manual really makes you chase down that info. Page CH-6 lists the 43 & 21 ft-lb figures for the generator, but each fitting has its own spec. For example, the PS idler pulley torque is listed at only 14 ft-lbs. Some people bank on hillbilly luck, but every torque spec was set for a reason.


    P.S. It's pullEy and raTchet
     
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  16. Aug 27, 2011 at 5:05 PM
    #16
    Allen9621

    Allen9621 Well-Known Member

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    I found this thread late, but those 2 torque specs only apply to the alternator/generator lock & pivot, per the 1995 Tacoma factory manual. The PS idler pulley requires 14 ft-lbs and the others are elusive at the moment.

    I see a lack of critical specs in these how-to steps online, so you're better off with a manual to double check them. "Just tighten 'er up" is risky, especially when you're dealing with any sort of rotating bearing.
     
  17. Aug 28, 2011 at 11:03 AM
    #17
    beedoola

    beedoola Well-Known Member

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    alright, I'll tighten both pulley bolts (for the power steering and AC) to 14 to be safe.
     
  18. Dec 22, 2011 at 2:34 PM
    #18
    cdub2002

    cdub2002 Active Member

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    Bullet Grill, Hella 500ffs, 3" suspension lift, 33" goodyear wranglers, Flowmaster 40 series, Cobra CB, debadged, Kenwood cd, infinity sound, 12" sub. husky tool box...
    Is this the same process for the 3.4 V6? Just curious if I can follow this without screwing up things too much. and not have to take it to my mechanic
     
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  19. Dec 26, 2011 at 8:48 AM
    #19
    fsusteve

    fsusteve Well-Known Member

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    Maybe my 97 2.7 is different but I just replaced my belts and the alt belt is also the water pump drive belt. A/C is on the harmonic balancer and idler, same with P/S. You can see it in Step #9's pic. Had my son do it, fairly simple job, took him maybe 30 minutes total.
     
  20. Jul 8, 2012 at 2:39 PM
    #20
    BrianLV

    BrianLV Well-Known Member

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    Gates sizes are:

    K050340
    K040343
    K040438

    These fit perfect on my 04 Prerunner. I highly suggest Gates belts, but they are more expensive at about $60 for the 3.
     

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