Replacing Serpentine Belt

jajeh5 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2005, 03:11 PM

Let me run this by everyone. I am not a engine guru but I just purchased the replacement belt for my truck and was wondering how difficult this is to replace and if anyone has a step by step I could walk through.

Johnny Law · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2005, 03:16 PM

It's not hard as far as replacing it, the diagram is right on top of the radiator mount so it shows you the routing of the belt. The only thing that's "hard" about it is cranking on the idler pulley while trying to thread the belt around all the other pulleys and fan whilst getting everything in it's groove. I had a buddy help me, I cranked on the idler and he looped, 5 minute job, tops.

jajeh5 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2005, 03:28 PM

Sounds simple. My greatest problem is getting this off and not being able to get the new one on. Then of course I am stranded.

ellijay911 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2005, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajeh5

Let me run this by everyone. I am not a engine guru but I just purchased the replacement belt for my truck and was wondering how difficult this is to replace and if anyone has a step by step I could walk through.

Not hard. If you are doing it by yourself leave about ten to twenty minuets. from whatever else you might have to do that day

. My only suggestion is to wrap all the pulley's except the one to the far top right (driverside). I believe it is just under the upper radiator hose. Once all the pulleys are wrapped (including the belt tensioner and excluding the pulley described above) push the belt tensioner all the way down and with your right hand place the belt over the last pulley which again is under/close to the upper radiator hose. I had to fight with mine until I did it the way I described above. It is very tight between the fan and engine. At least for my arms LOL

Good luck.

ellijay911 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajeh5

Sounds simple. My greatest problem is getting this off and not being able to get the new one on. Then of course I am stranded.

I felt the same for about five minuets after taking my old squeaky belt off. Try the steps above and it should go on pretty easy. If you have a buddy around that can help then it will be a breeze.

jajeh5 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 05:52 PM

So I broke down and had a shop replace the belt today. On my way home I noticed a small whinning noise that would get higher pitched with engine rpm. Anyone have any suggestions?

dbarstad · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 09:54 PM

Sounds like you are getting noise from the alternator. It could be the unit itself or some type of grounding that would cause it.

jajeh5 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2005, 08:01 AM

Well I took this in and he said it doesn't sound like the alternator. He indicated that it seemed to come from the gatorback belt. He suggested that I let it run for a couple of days. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Let me add that the shop said with the aggresive ribbing on the belt could cause this issue. Does anyone out there with the gatorback run into the same problem.

longwoodklon · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2005, 10:27 AM

I put on a Gatorback at 80k miles cause the stock one was squealing(and it was well past time to change it anyways). Haven't noticed any noise from the Gatorback. Could be a pulley bearing going bad. /Mike

ellijay911 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajeh5

Well I took this in and he said it doesn't sound like the alternator. He indicated that it seemed to come from the gatorback belt. He suggested that I let it run for a couple of days. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Let me add that the shop said with the aggresive ribbing on the belt could cause this issue. Does anyone out there with the gatorback run into the same problem.

I have not heard any problems from mine. It has been on for about 4,000 miles.

Haoleb · #11 (**permalink**) 01-05-2005, 01:45 PM

I just replaced my belt with the gatorback today, i was getting some slight squealing every now and then with the old belt so i figured i give it a try. I only started it up to make sure the belt was seated good so i dunno if it solved my problem but im pretty confident it will.

Getting the old one off was easy, getting the new one on was pretty simple. This was the first time I had ever done one so i had to try a few things to see where to start and figure out how to get it on all the pulleys (cept the small one on top) without knocking it off another. I had to have my dad help when i put it on the last pulley although I probbly could have done it myself its alot easier with two.

dfinn · #12 (**permalink**) 01-05-2005, 04:52 PM

i just installed a gatorback about 2k miles ago. mine was silent right from the start. I would make sure they got the belt lined up correctly, if it's one rib off on one of the pulleys I think that will cause it to squeal (as well as prematurely wear the belt).

jajeh5 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2005, 10:23 AM

Just a follow up here. After letting it run for a day the noise is gone. I think it was the tread pattern on the belt. I have listened to it ever since and it seems to be gone.

lovatoj · #14 (**permalink**) 03-17-2007, 03:59 PM

Thank you for this topic. I was replaced my fan belt by my self in less than 20 minutes. A couple things to keep in mind, because the tension pully is reversed threaded you can use a socket wrench to ease the tension on the belt - this is where a buddy comes in handy, because I didn't have anyone to help me I zip tied the wrench to a mount. It worked great! The old belt was a tad shorter than the new one so it made it quite difficult to get off, I slid it off of the fan roller in order to create more slack in order to get it off of the rest of the rollers. I then used the on the panel to re-route the new belt which went on very easy, then released the zip ties and presto.

Piece of cake. Thanks for the posting!

Joe

Jump · #15 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 09:24 AM

Thanks guys!

Using the tips on the forum, I replaced my belt. It was straight forward, but tight quarters. Taking off the skid plate helped a bunch. My Wife held the tensioner back while I got the belt on. ( She's a really good sport!)

Thanks again, I have learned so many things about maintaining and fixing my Tundra on this forum. ( and saving a truck load of money in the process.)

Jump