- Pliers
- Wrench set
- ½ inch drive ratchet
- ½ inch drive breaker bar
- ½ inch drive 10mm and 14mm socket
- ½ inch drive serpentine belt tensioner tool (such as Autozone part # 27241)
Procedure
1. Open the hood and locate the alternator. The alternator is on the passenger-side of the engine, located near the bottom.
2. Loosen the belt tensioner. Locate the belt tensioner which applies tension to the belt between the alternator and crankshaft pulley. The belt tensioner will have a large bolt in its center, and will look something like this:
3. Turn the belt tensioner clockwise using a ½ in drive ratchet and 10mm socket until there is enough slack in the belt to completely remove it from the alternator pulley.
4. Remove the old drive belt. Remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley, and then from around the other pulleys.
5. Insert the new serpentine belt. Install the new belt by placing it around all of the other pulleys, and then install the new serpentine belt around the alternator pulley
6. Remove excess slack from the drive belt. Use a ratchet and 10mm socket to turn the belt tensioner counter-clockwise until the serpentine belt is nice and tight.
Tips and Tricks:
- If the belt tensioner bolt is too tight to loosen by hand, use the breaker bar.
- If the serpentine belt is too old and too damaged and not able to be installed, you will have to visit your local automotive parts store to acquire a new serpentine belt with the size marked on the old serpentine belt.
