How to remove and replace belt

[alex16]

It's very simple, if your not experienced just have some patience and time.

Mechanically inclined: 5-10 minutes to complete the job
Shade tree: 5-30 minutes
Never done one before 1-2 hours

I used Dayco 5060485
I paid $11 on eBay for it, rock auto also carries it for $12-15

Tools needed:
12mm box end wrench
14mm box end wrench
Long pry bar
Gloves
Rag


First loosen the tensioner nut 12 mm. It's blue colored




Then loosen the bottom alternator bolt. This is the most challenging step* the ac lines are extremely close, I gently pushed mine back slightly so my craftsman 14mm would clear. I don't recommend doing that, if you have a flexible head ratchet or an alternative tool to loosen it, it would be better. I was able to break torque on the bolt without the wrench hitting the line. Just be careful.




Once you have this lower bolt that you can't see very well from on top of the car looking down loose (just lightly loose)
Then you can go back up to the tensioner and there's a threaded 12 mm bolt that goes through facing the front of the car. Loosen this all the way until it is almost flush with the threaded part it screws into.

Now you can push the alternator forward and slide the belt off the water pump. My water pump had a little bit of play in the pulley but not enough to justify a replacement.

The new belt should go over the compressor then towards the crank pulley. Use the pry bar or a long object to guide it over the crank.

Next flat side against the water pump up to the alternator. You can put a rag against the core support and gently pry against the alternator to give enough slack to slide the belt over the alternator pulley.




Retention the alternator using the tensioner 12mm bolt.

Check the belt for tension, it's difficult to find but there's a sweet spot, where the belt is just tight enough it won't squeak with full load (headlights high beams ac full rear defrost) yet doesn't feel super tight. A method I do is get it kinda tight and lightly tighten the bottom 14mm and top 12 mm, if it squeals I turn it off the engine and loosen the bottom 14mm and top 12mm and adjust with the 12mm adjuster some more, it's a time consuming process but it will give you longer life on pulleys and the belt. I did this twice with the original belt.

This is the tensioner with the new belt, as you can see much less tension with the new belt. I think at $11 I will be replacing the belt at 50-60k from now on as it is so important and a fresh belt requires less tension than a worn belt.




Any questions feel free to ask.