Serpentine Belt

Big D · **Joined:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:08 pm **Posts:** 349

Is there a trick or some other adjustment when putting this thing on?

Thanks

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 2:32 pm

You should just follow the diagram on your upper radiator support right there in front of you. It shows you how to route the belt after you get the idler pulley into position. It's very simple.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2007 3:54 pm

You Should be able to get a majority of the belt routed around the pulleys without touching the tensioner. With 95% of the belt routed take a free hand to pick up the tool and place it on the adjuster. Squeeze with all of your might and then slip the belt into it's final place with the other hand.

Have a cold one and enjoy your newly dirty hands.

Big D · **Joined:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:08 pm **Posts:** 349

Got in on. First, I tried getting it on with the tensioner. That's a no go. The second time, I secured the tensioner, routed the belt as best I could. I left a bit off on the A/C compressor. Inserted a fiber glass stick under the belt to help it slip on the A/C pulley, held the cranshaft section so it wouldn't slip off, and rotated the alternator pulley with a wrench and everything poped into place.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:15 am

Big D wrote:

Got in on. First, I tried getting it on with the tensioner. That's a no go. The second time, I secured the tensioner, routed the belt as best I could. I left a bit off on the A/C compressor. Inserted a fiber glass stick under the belt to help it slip on the A/C pulley, held the cranshaft section so it wouldn't slip off, and rotated the alternator pulley with a wrench and everything poped into place.

You know using a 15mm socket(or wrench) on one of the tensioner pulleys(it moves,it is spring loaded to provide the tension) and it would have made the job a lot easier.It only takes about 2 min to replace a serp belt on a KJ.

Big D · **Joined:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:08 pm **Posts:** 349

Yes, I've tried that. Now, if you put the wrench on the outer one, all you'll do is unscrew the pulley. As for the inner on, I didn't want to be forcing that one cause you can overtighten it easily. It's all plastic. I actually cracked one pulley....so there was a lot of swaring involved. Good thing it wasn't the one that seized on me intitially.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:56 am

Big D wrote:

Yes, I've tried that. Now, if you put the wrench on the outer one, all you'll do is unscrew the pulley. As for the inner on, I didn't want to be forcing that one cause you can overtighten it easily. It's all plastic. I actually cracked one pulley....so there was a lot of swaring involved. Good thing it wasn't the one that seized on me intitially.

Just snapped these pics.The first pic is the tensioner,the idler wheel on the left is the spring loaded one,this is the one you need to use a 15mm socket(or wrench).

This nect pic shows a 15mm socket on the idler wheel bolt and relieving the spring tension.To do this correctly you must try to tighten the bolt(not loosen),turn in a clockwise rotation.Then the idler wheel will swing clockwise and relieve the tension on the belt making the replacement a snap.