The old girl's drive belt (v-belt, serpentine-belt) broke the other day. Being the semi-handy person I think I am, I attempted to replace the belt on my own. I went to Sears and bought a belt breakbar kit and got myself a new belt. When I went to turn the tensoner pulley to replace the belt, it wouldn't release the tension. When I twist the pulley bolt forward (clockwise) nothing happens, the little arrow thing on top doesn't move. Which leads me to two questions:

1. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the belt on without moving the tension pulley?
2. How hard is it to replace the tension pulley unit (it's below the power steering, which is below the alternator) and do I have too?

Thanks...

Forrest

 

well if you tensioner is siezed then you will need to replace it there is only one bolt holding it

 

If your tensioner froze , that may have caused the belt failure, there real easy to get off, An thats the only/ easier way to replace a belt .

 

I think you might be doing something wrong[&:]
Check out this site it might be helpful:

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800bcffc.jsp

 

According to the schematic on my car the tensioner is the bottom middle pulley (number 6 on the attached pic, not 2). When I turn the pulley nut clockwise, like it says in the book, the nut just turns and doesn't release the tension. To replace it do I just replace the wheel (pulley) or do I need to replace the entire assembly? If I need to replace the entire assembly, is there a way to do it without removing the power steering and/or the alternator? Thanks for the help....

[IMG]local://upfiles/2344/9869C9005FCC4679B4AB5AE01F277F7B.jpg[/IMG]

 

STOP!!
Look again 2 is tensioner not 6, hate to see you brake a bolt on the block.
And if I'm not mistaking you need to turn it CCW good luck

 

Here is what the schematic on the car shows:

[IMG]local://upfiles/2344/314ED3D3B5594E06842B2C4ADDC5EF16.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks for the help, I really do appreciate it...

 

Look like your right [], so it would be CW. I also read that you can use 1/2 square slot to release belt tension.

Insert a 1/2 in. breaker bar into the square hole in the tensioner.

On the 3.8L engine, the tensioner has a 1/2 in. square hole cast into the rear of the tension arm directly behind the pulley. On the 3.0L engine, the 1/2 in. square hole is cast into the spring housing on the front of the tensioner.

Rotate the tensioner clockwise and remove the belt.


Hope thing work out

 

sometimes the simple things can be a pain[>:]