Newbie Question... how do you replace the drive belts?

[Moy]

I realize that this is one of those things that everyone should know how to do, but I'd like to know from people who have done it what the easiest and best ways to replace the belts are. What are the steps, what all has to be removed, etc.?

I know that the fan, clutch, and probably fan shroud have to be removed. What all else has to go? Is it imperative to have a torque wrench when tightening the nuts and bolts after the job is done?

Thanks for any input

 

[Moy]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I have literally half of a power steering belt right now.

 

[IJ.]

Have you had a read of the TRSM yet?

 

[Moy]

Yeah, but I probably suck with that. All I can seem to find is it saying "replace belts".
It would be under general maintenance, right? Or am I just not looking in the right place?

 

[Mk3runner]

LOL, keep reading it. It's easy to do belts.

 

[IJ.]

LOL my apologies Moy it just sucks and assumes you know how

Pwr Steer is 14mm for the tension adjuster side

AC is also 14mm

Alt is 12mm/10mm be careful with the 12mm it's made from silly putty and shears off easily.

You can wiggle the belts in/out without pulling the shroud.

Pwr steer you'll have to lever the pump and tighten.

AC you have to loosen the nut on the tensioner a little then use the vertical 14mm to tension and tighten the nut to lock it.

Alt you loosen the 12mm and use the 10mm nut for tension then tighten the 12mm when done.

 

[Mk3runner]

It may seem like a pain. But start out slow and get a good look at it. Get good belt tension without going monster ah crap tight on your good

 

[Moy]

I know how to loosen the alt cause I had to replace mine... haha. I've gotten the a/c tensioner bolt loose, but the tensioner was stuck in place, rusted probably... what's the best way to loosen it up without damaging the pulley? I assume going at it from underneath with a ball peen hammer, but I don't really know where I'd hit on it...

 

[IJ.]

LOL my apologies Moy it just sucks and assumes you know how

Pwr Steer is 14mm for the tension adjuster side

AC is also 14mm

Alt is 12mm/10mm be careful with the 12mm it's made from silly putty and shears off easily.

You can wiggle the belts in/out without pulling the shroud.

Pwr steer you'll have to lever the pump and tighten.

AC you have to loosen the nut on the tensioner a little then use the vertical 14mm to tension and tighten the nut to lock it.

Alt you loosen the 12mm and use the 10mm nut for tension then tighten the 12mm when done.

 

[Mk3runner]

No hammer LOL

They do stick a little but banging on stuff, it could get messy doing that

 

[zurud]

There's a nut at front of ac pulley tensioner that you need to loosen.

 

[Zumtizzle]

^ohh really?