A guy over on TRS was having trouble trying to figure out how to remove his serpentine belt on a 3.0L. I posted these photos, and I thought they might
help somebody on R-F:

You need to rotate the tensioner pulley bolt, to remove the tension on the serpentine belt. Here are a few photos to help you:












Using a 15mm boxed-end wrench, turn the tensioner pully bolt clockwise (tightening) to loosen the tension
on the serpentine belt:

 

why cant everyone who does write ups have a camera like you? lol makes things a whole lot easier, when it can be seen clearly

 

or you can stick a 3/8" ratchet head in the tenstioner itself..

or like mine you can push it by hand.. its still stiff but not too stiff

 

Nice write up.

 

I had to replace mine last week. A friend and I did it, it was a royal PITA.

 

Wait so you're supposed to tighten the bolt to remove tension? Just making sure I'm understanding it right.

 

Yeah in mine I just used a Break Bar with an addapter to 3/8 I think into the auto tentioner and it realeased the belt.

On a 4 SOHC that is

 

Yes, when you rotate the bolt clockwise, the entire pulley rotates down, removing tension on the belt. There is no 3/8 square hole in this tensioner.

 

thats nice. i didnt know about that when i replaced my alternator and the belt was a little of a *****

 

I realized that I had an old tensioner, that I changed several years ago.

These photos should show you how the tensioner is made, and how it works:
Notice without a belt in place, the outer part of the tensioner (part the pulley is mounted to)
is in the full counter-clockwise position.

 

its one of the easiest things you can do on our trucks.. lots of fwd cars are a royal pain in the *** to the power of 12.. but most RWD cars/trucks with the belt in front are pretty easy

try turning it the other way, the bolt loosens and eventually you'll have the bolt out and pulley off.. and the belt will come with it

 

Anybody think this thread needs to be in the Photog Forum?

 

x2, simple task though, but a good how-to for people who don't know how to do it.

 

i think the 3.0 section is better

 

It applies to the 3.0, this is where it should be IMO.

 

So the 4.0 is different then? I need to put a new alt in tomorrow.

 

it's not that hard, you'll either do like he showed here with a wrench on the pulley, or you're tensioner will have a spot for a 3/8 in ratchet or breaker bar. once you get in there and look at it, you'll understand how it works.

 

You can use a 3/8 inch drive wrench but the tensionor tool is better in my opinion. Its the perfect size to fit around everything. Also its free to use all you have to do is leave a deposit at an auto store.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

What do you mean by tensioner tool? I go to autozone and ask to rent a tensioner tool? What does it do? Easy to use? Does it loosen the belt so I can take it off, and assist me in putting on the new one also?

 

The tensionor tool goes in a 3/8" square hole in the arm on the tensionor. You put the tool in there and pull the tensionor away from the belt. Nothing hard about it. The belt routing diagram is on a sticker on the truck. The tensionor itself is held on with one bolt.

Walk into Vatozone and say, "What up homes. I need to rent a belt tensionor tool." And they say "Ok Vato you just have to put a deposit down and we will refund it when you bring the tool back."

 

Longer, thinner and easier to get into tight spots but basicallly a 3/8 or 1/2" ratchet head w/o the ratchet. you can buy one at Sears for a decent price, or I guess theya re rented at AZ type places.

This....

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00999844000P

 

alright cool, do I have to take off the fan shroud or anything?

 

I took my intake off to make some room.

 

I replaced the idler pulley, the tensioner and put on a new belt today. Boy did I have fun. This 66 yr old body is sore especially my hands. Started the truck and the belt is still on. Tomorrow it's seafoam and an oil change then it's on to removing the 2" block on the rear axle then replacing the shocks. Might need pain pills when I'm done.