Serpentine Belt Replacement
 

I searched the techinfo on this one, but couldn't find what I was looking for. It looks like the belt goes around the engine mount. Does the mount have to be disconnected or is there an easier way to do this. I looked at this for about ten minutes b4 scratching my head and walking away.

The mount has to be disconnected.

crap

No it doesnt.

The sleeve in the lowest arm of the mount has to be removed. Then you can get the belt in. But I thought that was only on S/Ced cars. The NA cars the belt does not go thru the mount.

The last time I did my belts was the summer of 03, so I cant remember 100% which belt went thru the mount.

Jay

I just replaced the serpentine belt on my '99, and the Chilton manual said that the sleeve and bolt mentioned had to be removed. I did so, and the job took about 20 minutes after that. I had some problems getting the sleeve back in, so I held one surface flat against a grindstone and took off about .020, and it slipped right in. By the way, It's 18MM, but an 11/16" six-point socket will remove it.

This job is much easier with two persons. Route the belt, and then have the assistant push the tensioner (15MM bolt with a big breaker for leverage) towards the firewall while you ensure that the belt is correctly positioned on the lower pulleys. When it is, have the assistant release thebreaker towards the front of the car a little, and scramble up to make sure that the other pulleys are correctly aligned as well. You'll see what I mean when you start out, the grooved pulleys have raised sides to keep the belt on.

I dunno, I didn't try to remove the belt, only stared at it for awhile. But it sure looks like it wraps around the mount to me. I'm not sure I understand what the sleeve is you were talking about, I'll have to go look again after work.

It does wrap around the mount, and only the bolt and sleeve I described in the above post needs to be removed and replaced. There are still several bolts holding the engine to the mount, so supporting the engine underneath is not necessary.

If you're still confused, say so, and I'll post the steps from my Childton manual verbatim.

It's not as bad as it looks. I did it on my 99 last May. One person can do it.

The way I did it is support the engine with a block of wood at the oil pan. Then, undo the dog-bone support bolt where the belt goes through the dog-bone. Once the bolt is removed, slightly raise the jack on the engine so it rocks toward the driver's side. That opening is enough to get the 1/8" thick belt out.

I agree, it's not as bad as it looks. I got mine done in under 30 minutes. I think removing the splash gaurds was the longest bit of work.

Attachment 77427

Not the prettiest picture, but it shows the lowest stud in the torque axis engine mount and the sleeve that you need to remove to change the belt. You can see the stud is partly removed in the photo. Easier to see (and photograph) when the engine is on a stand in the garage. :wink: