How to Replace the serpentine belt on many General Motors products
- 1). You need to back off the tensioner. You do that by rotating the 15 MM nut on the center of the tensioner clockwise on most models. The 15 MM nut is right next to inner fender on many models. If you can get you box end wrench on the nut it will not be long enough to allow you to produce enough torque. I have seen guys mill the wrench end of their box wrench so they could fit a nice snug pipe over the wrench. If this works for your car it can be a good solution. On none of the models I have worked on was their room to use a standard 15 MM socket with breaker bar. The tool I used was a 15 MM shallow socket. I found mine at a pneumatic tool store. I ground flats on the socket and was able to use a large pair of vice grips to hold the socket. This works on all models I have worked on.
- 2). Once you release the tension off of the belt remove the belt from the alternator pulley. At this point you can release the tensioner slowly.
- 3). Finish removing the old belt.
- 4). Put the new belt on starting with the lower pulleys usually the crank will be the most difficult. I use a long handled screwdriver to help me get it on.
- 5). Once you get the belt on all pulleys except the alternator you are going to have to relive the tensioner again. At this point a second person can come in really handy. Rotate the tensioner again and slip the belt over the alternator pulley.
- 6). Release the tensioner slowly.
- 7). Check to see the belt is properly over all of the pulleys and is properly tensioned.
- 8). Start the car and verify the belt is working properly.
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