Serpentine Belt Replacement?

My truck has a little squeel in the morning when its damp out and I think its the belt. I guess it could be one of the tensioners but since my truck has 65,000 on it and I don't know when, if ever the belts been replaced I am gong to do it.

Can anyone tell me how hard this is and any tips on how to go about it? I have replaced serpentine belts before but not on the toyota. Mine is a 2005 model.

Thanks !!

PS: I did try the search and came up empty.....

 

Go SOX !

 

No one here has changed their sperpentine belt on a 2nd gen Tacoma? I just need to know how to take the tension off the belt so I can swap it. I also dont have the diagram on my radiator but I think I can figure it out.

 

There is a movable tensioner pulley. Figure out which way to move it to loosen up the tension on the belt and remove the old belt. Apply the new belt per diagram on radiator and loosen the tensioner up to apply tension to the new belt. Make sure the new belt is centered on all rotating surfaces. if not, the belt will fall off. good luck.

 

I know there is a tensioner I just cant figure out where. I think its the one on the bottom below the AC compressor but I am not sure as its impossible to get to. I think I might remove the skid plate and try to access from the bottom. I also do not have the sticker on the radiator although there is a place where a small rectangle sticker used to be. I did find the diagram on rockauto though. So It would be great if someone can confirm that the tensioner pully is the one on the bottom between the AC and the crank shaft. Also whats the best method to take the preasure off the belt?

Thanks guys!

 

Is that the real diagram of it? Good gawd....and I thought my jeep was bad.

Something doesn't look right with it....or maybe its just the diagram...but why would you have the belt touching the same pulley on both sides?

To remove tension off a belt, you need to loosen the tensioner (the same thing you're trying to tighten)

 

I noticed that too. Doesn't look right.

On a side note, I'm a little dissappointed to see a serpentine belt on the new Tacoma. I like having the separate belts that my 3.4L has.

 

This looks to be the right config. I believe the tensioner is the pully between the CS and AC. the bolt head you see on the the pully is where the wrench would go. And if I am looking at it right, you would pull the wrench down to rotate the assmby toward the ground. Auto part stors sell a serp belt wrench that is close to 2 feet long so you can access this from up top. good luck I hope this helps.


PS: Also I dint see the sticker on the rad cover either. I was thinking of my Silverado. But I just went out to look @ the Tacoma and this is how I would attack it.

 

Thanks for the info. I think your right that its the one on the bottom. I could not get to it tonight so I could not be sure. Its very tight arounf the fan and the plastic on the back of the radiator. I do have the v6 and the diagram is correct. I think its the same on the 4 cyl but I could be wrong. The pully that has the belt on both sides is just the fan. It does look crazy!

I might just take the skid plate off rather than buy a tool. Thanks again everyone for the help. Anyone know if the OEM belt is better or should I order a gatorback goodyear belt?

 

The tensioners are usually really sprung tight. If you don't have access to a tensoner tool, use a long breaker bar for leverage. Remember you will have to keep applying pressure to the wrench while you remove and install the belt from around the pulley. This is why the tool is about 2 feet long.

I think some of the larger auto parts stores rent these like Advance, Auto Zone, etc.

 

Amen to that!! Was sooo much easier to troubleshoot accessory items when you can remove one belt while the other 2 kept the other things turning.
(I used to have a 96)

 

The tensioner is not the bottom one between the Crankshaft and the A/C compressor. That one is just an idler. (your diagram is the correct one FYI)

The Tensioner pulley is the one above the crankshaft and below the water pump. It is accessible from the top side of the engine. Get a ratchet on there and turn it counter clockwise to release tension and get the belt off. Putting the new belt on can be a pain if it's just you doing it. If it's just you, the best way to do it is to route the belt over everything but the power steering pump (top left in the diagram) and then move the tensioner and try to slide it over that last. Once you get it on, check to make sure it's is still over every pulley properly, especially the fan shroud area, as it's easiest to be slightly off in that area. If all looks good turn the truck on for a few seconds and then right back off and check to make sure the belt is still in all the proper positions. If it's slipping off it'll get eaten up pretty quickly.

 

Thanks Spyder! Looking at the diagram is it the one above left or above right of the CS?

 

Whoops, guess i should have been more specific. Looking at the diagram it would be above and to the right of the CS.

 

Great! Thanks for the help!

 

the easiest way to change the belt is to take the skidplate off and use a breaker bar with a 19mm socket (i think its a 19). its much easier to get to the tensioner from the bottom.

 

Thanks gain spyder you saved me some time on this. I would have removed the skid plate thinking the tensioner was on the bottom. I was able to change this by myself in about 15 minutes. I used a 1/2 ratched with a small extension on it. There is just enough room to get in there and do it from the top. I have small arms though, it might be easier for someone with large arms to try from the bottom. I just hope my squeek goes away or the next step is to replace the idler pullies.

Anyway, thanks again for all the feedback on this!

Oh, its not a 19mm I think it was 16mm but cant remember.

 

happy to help