Belt replacement

[217gsr]

I thread the alternator first, then the blower. . .but that might just be preference. Sometimes the arm of the tensioner pulley drops down and gets in the way, so make sure that the pulley is pushed far enough forward so that you can swing the belt fully onto the alternator. Sometimes spinning the blower pulley is helpful in getting the top part of the blower belt on.

If all that fails, maybe you should get a belt that's just a little bigger (like the next step size).

[Batoutahell]

I seem to recall that the last time I changed the belt, I threaded it onto the alternator first, like you said, and then spun the blower pulley until the belt caught. Tonight, the belt just isn't making the final catch onto the blower pulley. I might have to resort to the next size belt, but that's a last resort.

When you start the threads on the alternator pulley, do you recall if you thread the belt on the inside track (the correct track), or on the outer track (where the alt-crank belt goes) to get the belt started? Also, when you make the final thread onto the blower pulley, do you start threading on the front of the pulley or the back? These may be silly questions, but I have a feeling there's 1 "right" combination to make the job easier. Thanks for your help.

[BoostedEX]

I started the belt on the inside track of the alt pulley, then pulled the belt onto the SC pulley.

Good luck.

Tim

[JRCivic]

Here is another good thought: REMOVE both bolts holding the swing bracket of the upper tensioner in place... this way you have a straight shot at an un-hindered route for the blower belt. Once you have it lined up on the proper ribs (of both the blower pulley and the alternator), drop the swing bracket back in place and re-insert the two bolts that secure it to the upper tensioner assembly. I suggest you start the bolt coming in from the back (blower) side first, and then the one that passes through the adjustment slot on the belt side of the bracket.

Good luck.

[Batoutahell]

Hmm, that definitely would open up a little more room to take up all the slack in the belt. Unfortunately, I already wussed out and got the next larger size belt. It slipped on the pulleys very easily (almost too easily). By removing the "spacer nut" from the upper adjusting bolt, I can crank the bolt all the way down and create just enough tension. The bad news is that if the belt gets a little loose over time, I can't tighten it any more, so I'll have the try the 620mm belt again. When that time comes, I'll try to remove the bracket bolts altogether. That sounds like more fun that scraping all the skin off my knuckles again.

Thanks for everyone's help.