How to install serpentine belt on 1995 Dodge Dakota?

Answer 1

Ok, you didnt specify which engine, but it really doesnt matter which engine or even which type of vehicle (to a point anyway). But generally this is a real simple job..ten minutes tops. 1. Locate the belt routing diagram under the hood in the engine compartment, if its not there, draw your own based on how your old belt routes. 2. Locate the belt tensioner pulley...on mine it has a 15mm bolt on it (damn metrics!). 3. Put the 15mm (or whatever size your bolt is) socket onto a breaker bar or a long ratchet , then put it onto the belt tensioner pulley bolt. 4.Push the pulley (in the direction as though you were trying to tighten the bolt)..this will move the whole spring loaded tensioner pulley assembly, so that belt gets very very loose). 5. HOLD the tensioner pulley in that position as you REMOVE the old belt (the longer the ratchet the easier this is as it gives you leverage, requiring less physical strength to hold the tensioner pulley in position) 6. Slip the new serpentine over all the pulleys saving the last pulley to be any smooth bore, non-ridged pulley (like the water pump pulley)...this will make the job...oh so easy... you will call your 10 year old daughter/sister out to do it for you next time! 7. take the pressure off the belt tensioner pulley and the belt should go tight (make sure the pulley is centered on EVERY pulley and follows the proper routing. WAH-LAH your done...Its that simple. I would rather change 10 serpentine belts than wash one cup or fold one shirt...its that easy.