My serpentine belt is beginning to dry rot and I need to replace it. But I was wondering how hard it is to replace? Any special tools? From what I can see it looks fairly easy, but I thought I would check with yall first...

 

just a ratchet and a cheATER BAR

 

super easy. its just moving the idler pulley over and replacing belt

 

Its a bit tricky is you don't have that "picture" on the radiator cover. Room for your arm can be tight too. The idle pulley will except a 1/2 drive socket wrench but you will get a bit more leverage with the cheater bar. I like to use a crow bar to just push down on the pulley and pull the belt off at the alternator pulley. Same with putting it back on, wrap the belt on all the larger pulleys and just push down on the idle pulley again with the crow bar and slip the belt over that alternator pulley.

 

I replaced the belt no problem. But now it seems that my a/c compressor pulley or clutch has a loud squeal to it. Does that mean its bad? Any suggestions welcome...

 

Just rust on the pulleys, take and old bar of soap and lightly press the bar on the ribs of the belt as the motor is running, it act like a lubricant till the new belt gets a few miles on it. There is a bit of silicone on the new belt and its causing the squeak.

 

Its easy, socket set and pry bar are the tools. I usually just loosten the alternator, loosten the pivot bolt, let it drop down and pull the belt, put the new one on and use the pry bar to put the alternator back on tight. If you can afford one, get a gator back belt, they are nice! Also It has always helped me remember the belt pattern by making a diagram of it on the pulleys before you take it off

 

How long does it usually take for a belt to get broken in?

 

not long. you gotta imagine its revolving at thousands of times a minute. just use soap like John has said. dollar tree crap works just fine lol

 

If you need a crowbar or are loosening the alternator you are doing it wrong. Put a closed end wrench on the bolt that holds the tensioner pulley to the tensioner arm and push down using your right hand. The tensioner will swing out of the way and there will be enough slack in the belt for you to pull it off the idler pulley with your left hand. Do the same to install the new belt.

 

I used the crow bar to push down on the idler pulley on my Grand Marquis because I wasn't able to get the wrench and my arm anywhere near the pulley from the top of the engine. The pry part of the crow bar bites into the belt. All it need is little movement to lessen the tension so I'm able to pull the belt off a smaller closer much pulley. I haven't changed the belt on my truck yet.