Richard G

Haynes is no help. Routing label on radiater no help. I believe I have located tensioner and direction of release. Unable to get socket into area, open end wrench will work.
Standing at drivers side what is direction of travel to release tensioner? What tool combo have you used to release it?


[Modified by Richard G, 2:24 PM 6/3/2003]

Strick

Hi Rich,

I used to go to a small college near you called Salem College, name is changed now.

Now to your problem, most guys go to Pep Boys or Auto Zone and buy a serpentine belt tool, it's cheap and works great especially if you are doing it alone. It's a long flat piece of metal with a stamped nut hole that fits on your tensor nut. Just don't slip as the sensor on the water pump is right in line to get broken. As you face the engine, rotate the tensor clockwise to allow for belt release or installation. The tensor is the pulley that is just above the bottom damper pulley.

:flag :flag :flag

65Z01

The tensioner mechanism has a hole that accepts the tip of a 1/2" drive socket wrench. There is a low profile tool made for the job but a thin 1/2" drive swivel-handle works too (Sears has one).

Insert the tool into the square opening in the tensioner and press the handle down toward the AIR pump (toward the right side).

To route the belt note that it is ribbed on one side and flat of the other and that some pulleys are ribbed while others are flat.

Strick

This may be true for the L-98, but not for the LT-1/4.

GS919

I was able to use a box end wrench on mine to release the tensioner. When installing the new belt it is helpful but not necessary to have another set of hands to help position everything in the correct place. :seeya

Mr Mojo

If done properly with the proper toll, that sensor isn't even a factor.

Get a belt toll, insert it on the tensioner and pull towards you.

I can try a snap a few pics a little later, I may need a photographer, so we'll see. Total job should take less than a minute.

Slalom4me

The tool to use is a Lisle 57900 Serpentine Belt Tool. It comes with
extensions and adapters to fit several applications (so you can
amortize the modest cost by changing belts for your neighbors).
Yes, other methods work but for me they just aren't worth the
added effort and busted knuckle potential.

http://www.lislecorp.com/tools/catal...eral/index.htm

Call around to local automotive supply houses for the best price.

On an L98 - stand on the passenger side, insert the appropriate
socket into the tensioner and rotate the tool counter-clockwise
from an occupant's perspective.





[Modified by Slalom4me, 11:09 AM 6/3/2003]

tempest

I just used a 3/8 jointed socket drive (the one that i have is slightly lower profile than a regular drive), and a short length of nylon rope tied to the handle end. you should be able to get the drive barely over the tensioner, but once that's done, just pull on the rope to loosen the belt.

guess you could do the same with an open end wrench - just pull harder!



[Modified by tempest, 12:39 PM 6/3/2003]