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How to change an alternator belt?

35K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  Absolut  
#1 ·
Hey all,

On my way back home, my car made some squealing noises and then there was some funky burnt rubber smell for a few seconds. I thought it was my timing belt but that wasn't the case because my car was still going. I checked under the hood and it turns out my alternator belt broke! Is this easy to replace? I'm a poor college student with only a small toolset and would like to do this myself.

I did a search on alternator belts and all i could find was stuff related to timing belts.
 
#2 ·
Tools: Rachet
10mm Long Socket or wrench
12mm Long Socket "
14mm Short Socket "

You first have to remove the Power steering belt.

• Loosen the mounting nuts on the right side with a 12mm socket or wrench of the P/S pump; on is right on top of the pulley and one is underneath.

• Use a 10mm socket/wrench and loosen the adjustment bolt facing you.

•Push P/S pump down to remove tension and remove the belt.

Now for the alternator.

• Loosen the mounting nuts with 14mm Socket or wrench. They are in similar locations as the PS Pump

If you look at the alternator, the adjustment bolts are located in front of the alternator more towards the radiator.

•Loosen the left bolt with 10mm, this bolt just tightens your adjustment

•Turn the left 10mm bolt i think CCW, this will loosen the belt. You may need to push the alternator down and towards the engine to loosen the belt.

Just pull off the belt.

Just reassemble doing the reverse. Just remember not to tighten the mounting bolts for both the PS pump and the alternator until you have adjusted the tension for both of the belts via adjustment bolts.

Should take maybe a 1/2 hour for you if everything goes smooth.
 
#3 ·
poor collage method:
Go buy a belt and flex it a bit.
NOW, the engine turns counterclockwise, this is important to this method.

#1: Unplug the spark wire between the coil and the distributer

#2: Put the belt around the crank pully and the a/c

#3: push the belt on the side of the pully nearest the firewall as best you can, make sure its lodged as best you can.

#4: now with the belt lodged on the pully, grab your keys and get in the car

#5: turn the starter over just for about 1/2 a second

Now doing that look back under the hood. the engine should have pulled the belt around the pully and you should be set.
 
#7 ·
The battery won't die that fast....One night out in New York, my alternator belt broke when my gf was driving my car (b/c I had to much to drink:p )..I was ready to **** a brick...We were about 35 miles from home at night and we made it with no alternator belt & the lights on for nighttime.This was also the original 7 year old battery....but I warn you, if your battery is old, be careful...;)