how do you change belt?

Rule of thumb I have always heard is to check regularly and as soon as you see any bit of the ribs (that ride in the grooves) missing, then it's time. You usually see some small cracks develop in the ribs as it ages and dries and they say some amount of cracks are Ok. But if I see cracks all the way around I figure the next step is chunks falling off so I go ahead then as well.

I usually like to replace anyway, regardless of condition around 100K, if not before. I usually just tuck the old one under the seat for an emergency spare.

 

One time my Dad, a retired minister, who was probably 65+ at the time changed the serpentine on his car. Later he was at the Ford dealer. He was friends with the owner and they said "Who changed the belt on your car?" Owner was only half joking when he offered my Dad a job.

Said he had more than one tech who couldn't manage to change the belts on that particular car. (I think it may have been a Taurus or Sable but not sure.)

 

Looked this up and with the pictures had it done in 15 minutes soo glad y'all are on here

 

Thinking about doing this, but I am by far the mechanic, super nervous

 

Yea breezy I thought the same way but if if you have a smart phone or a computer close by use the pictures they have posted. Drop the bottum pan four screws and then a screw driver and a ratchet and then it's all routing the belt not hard the pictures helped me. It can only go on one way so if you got to much slack or two little refer to picture.

 

Screw driver makes this look a lot easier. Thanks for the pictures.

Is it advised to replace the idlers/tensioner as preventative maintenance? From what I've found, the tensioner looks like a PITA to swap out.

Going to do this soon, as I have 118k miles, and haven't touched the belt.

 

Did mine this weekend, not a piece of cake, but only took about 30 minutes or so. Already had the skid plate off, replacing the front struts, so thought I might as well do this while I was at it. I used a 5mm allen key to stick in the slot to hold the tensioner while replacing the belt, also followed the advice in the shop manual about doing the P/S pump last, and worked pretty well. Only weird thing, was realizing that you have to slide the belt over the fan to remove/install. I also did the trick to just barely turn the ignition to see if everything is lined up before ruining the belt. Went just fine the first time.

Even at almost 120k miles, the old belt...shows no signs of wear. No cracks or missing ribs or anything...but better safe than sorry.

 

You did the right thing. Look at this. The new belts don't show cracks or wear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck8HollJYOc

 

Wow, great post! Never would have thought to use a gauge like that to check the wear. So you really can't go by the old standards anymore. Glad I did it. May have explained some idle inconsistencies I've noticed once in a while. We will see.

 

Hey George, glad you could use the information - from another George.

 

LOL, thanks, but not George. Jason, actually. Kind of a weird name I picked up a long time ago when I was really interested in geocaching, and it just stuck. It's not the first time though!

 

I guess I got a little dyslexia - didn't notice the r was missing.

 

Thanks for the post. Good to know.

 

Working on this right now, first time changing my belt on a 2nd gen Yota, 1st gen 5VZE belts... were a just a little more technical than this. Thanks a ton for the photos, even helped me put the right craftsman screwdriver to use.. nice choice!

 

Thanks for the pics! Just changed mine.

 

Which way do you turn with the ratchet

 

Subbed

 

My truck has a belt diagram posted on the inside of the hood....

 

Thanks everybody. Just swapped in a new belt. Worked from below after moving skid plate. I highly recommend that method. About 30 minutes time. Derek's pictures were super helpful. I used a Bando

$20 7PK2120 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt

7PK2120 Belt. It fit well.

 

Maybe I'll get to this today or tomorrow. Certainly looks a lot easier than the belt I did on my old Grand Am. Anyone recommend a belt? Or any generic belt fine?