Measuring Belt Deflection

• 1). Place a straight edge or ruler across the two pulleys on the belt you wish to measure.
  
  
• 2). Press your thumb down on the belt half way between the two pulleys.
  
  
• 3). Measure the distance you can press down with your thumb. It should be between 3/8 and 1/2 inch.
  
  
• 4). If the measurement is greater you must tighten the belt.
  
  

Alternator Belt

• 1). Loosen the alternator belt adjusting bolt on the alternator, using a wrench. Slide the alternator towards the engine.
  
  
• 2). Pull the belt off the pulleys.
  
  
• 3). Slide a new belt over the alternator and crankshaft pulleys.
  
  
• 4). Pull the alternator away from the engine.
  
  
• 5). Tighten the alternator belt adjusting bolt, using a socket.
  
  
• 6). Measure for deflection.
  
  
• 7). Loosen the alternator adjusting bolt and slide the alternator away from the engine, if the deflection measurement is greater that 1/2 inch.
  
  
• 8). Tighten the alternator adjusting bolt using a socket.
  
  

Air Conditioning Compressor Belt

• 1). Loosen the air conditioning compressor adjusting bolt and slide the compressor toward the engine.
  
  
• 2). Pull the drive belt off the pulleys.
  
  
• 3). Slide the new belt onto the pulleys.
  
  
• 4). Slide the A/C compressor away from the engine and tighten the adjusting bolt.
  
  
• 5). Measure the drive belt for deflection.
  
  
• 6). Loosen the A/C compressor adjusting bolt and slide the alternator away from the engine, if the deflection measurement is greater that 1/2 inch.
  
  
• 7). Tighten the A/C compressor adjusting bolt.
  
  

Power Steering Pump Belt

• 1). Loosen the power steering pump adjusting bolt and slide the pump towards the engine.
  
  
• 2). Pull the drive belt off the pulleys.
  
  
• 3). Slide the new drive belt over the pulleys.
  
  
• 4). Push the power steering pump away from the engine and tighten the adjusting bolt.
  
  
• 5). Measure for deflection
  
  
• 6). Loosen the power steering adjusting bolt and slide the power steering pump away from the engine, if the deflection measurement is greater that 1/2 inch.
  
  
• 7). Tighten the adjusting bolt.
  
  

Removing a Serpentine Belt

• 1). Draw a diagram to note the routing of the serpentine belt around the engine accessory pulleys.
  
  
• 2). Locate the tensioner pulley, it will be located between the generator and crankshaft pulleys.
  
  
• 3). Insert a 1/2 inch breaker bar into the tensioner.
  
  
• 4). Move the breaker bar to your left (when facing the front of the engine) to take the tension off the belt.
  
  
• 5). Pull the belt off the pulleys.
  
  

Installing a Serpentine Belt

• 1). Loosely thread the new belt around the pulleys follow the diagram you drew previously.
  
  
• 2). Move the breaker bar to your left.
  
  
• 3). Slide the new belt over the tensioner pulley.
  
  
• 4). Release the breaker bar and remove it from the tensioner pulley.