How do you replace the serpentine belt on a Chevy Astro van?

Answer 1

First, check for the serpentine belt path drawing on the firewall, which will guide you in removing and replacing the belt. If you can't see any drawing, make one yourself. If the belt has broken and you have no idea how to route the replacement belt, you can contact a Chevy or GM dealer (the GMC Safari is the same vehicle) for help. Second: This is a two-person job, unless you are unusually adept or have long arms. Using a crowbar or a breaker bar as a lever, lever against the idler pulley and reduce the tension on the idler pulley, and slip the old serpentine belt off. You can tell the idler pulley from the other pulleys as it has no accessory attached, but pivots out from its attachment to the (large) accessory mounting plate bolted to the block. Making sure the grooves are on the inside of the belt, loosely thread the new belt around the existing accessories, and using the breaker bar or crowbar, force the idler pulley back and loop the belt over it. Gently reduce the force on the idler pulley and double-check the belt positioning. I have done this three times on my own Astro, with success each time. If you need more explanation, post here again.