Tips on Changing the Drive Belt

[JohnC]

Just changed my accessory drive belt out at 36k miles, the original looked liked it was in really good condition still. Getting ready for summer vacation road trip so we don't want to take any chances, and now we have the original as a spare. This wasn't one of the easiest serpentine belts I have ever replaced, wouldn't want to do it on the shoulder of the road. Here are the nice to knows...It takes a 19mm, I used a 1/2" drive ratchet/socket and a short "cheater" pipe, makes it pretty easy to get the leverage needed to overcome the auto tentioner.It is easy to get the belt out from the top, but rather difficult to install, I ended up getting under the car also.There are no routing diagrams under the hood or in the owners manual, this sucks if you do not haver internet access. What were they thinking? Maybe someone here can post a diagram. I just drew it on a piece of paper and stuck it in the owners manual.My replacement part- Dayco Poly Cog #5060725 (04 Base w/AC) $32 US

[ragingfish]

I just checked the service manual, and believe it or not, there is no diagaram for proper drive belt routing.Pretty sad.

[joatmon]

Here are a couple of diagrams from the matrix manual

Attached files

[joatmon]

edit - mike, I checked and in the 2003 service manual, belt routing is shown on pages 6-34 and 6-191

Attached files

[JohnC]

Thanks Joatmon, these will be perfect to print and then stick a copy in the owners manual. It would suck to have to figure the routing out after a belt broke.

[Pablo1669]

I too had problems finding a routing diagram when I changed my belt a year or so back.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by Pablo1669 »I too had problems finding a routing diagram when I changed my belt a year or so back. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5054

[JohnC]

I've got to get better at doing searches, sorry to rehash this.

[joatmon]

I remembered it, and knew it was there to search for

[MarkM04]

My '04 has a belt routing diagram in the manual. It has one full page for it.

[joatmon]

i just did this maintenance today (~105K miles) The old belt was starting to get small cracks in the ribs, probably would have been good for a while yet, but I figured I was due. I only saw the cracks after I had the old one out. Threw it under the rear deck lid, you never know ...It is a pain to get back on, worried it into place, pulled the tensioner and slipped it over the alternator pulley last.

[JohnC]

Well if you didn't skin any of your knuckles yer doin good. Boy the old V-belts would never last 100k miles.

[joatmon]

yeah, I was pushing my luck I think, but then again, coming up on 4 years of genvibe, and according to the forum index "4012 users, 19500 threads, 239753 posts." and nobody has reported a belt breaking yet. I didn't want to be the first. didn't skin any knuckles, but picked up a few new scratches on the forearm.

[tcam]

This is bringing up an old threa and it's a bit off topic, but I'm really confused why there are so many pulleys. What does each one do. I'm aware of a crankshaft, doubleoverhaead camshaft, and an alternator. But I don't know what the others are or what their purposes are. I was just really curious, and these pictures are great.Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Quote, originally posted by joatmon »

[Herb]

Quote, originally posted by tcam »This is bringing up an old threa and it's a bit off topic, but I'm really confused why there are so many pulleys. What does each one do. I'm aware of a crankshaft, doubleoverhaead camshaft, and an alternator. But I don't know what the others are or what their purposes are. I was just really curious, and these pictures are great.Well off the top of my head for most vehicles, there should be the AC compressor, power steering pump and water pump.

[tcam]

Quote, originally posted by Herb »Well off the top of my head for most vehicles, there should be the AC compressor, power steering pump and water pump.ohhhh... thanks. I guess I knew about the water pump, but just forgot about it at the time. lol. And the others I don't know much about, but it makes sense that those would be the other pulleys. thanks Herb

[ToolGuy]

And the belt tension pulley, that is the one that moves when the wrench is applied to the assembly. Moves out of the way to release tension and lets you change the belt.

[tcam]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »And the belt tension pulley, that is the one that moves when the wrench is applied to the assembly. Moves out of the way to release tension and lets you change the belt. aahhh.... I was wondering what that last pulley was. thnx