How do you replace a serpentine belt on 95 astro van?

Answer 1

I have a 96 astro van and just replaced the serpentine belt after the idler pulley barring froze. never doing this before i read some on-line suggestions then went to work...it is suggested a two person job but i did it myself...it was also explained to me that at bottom left, the idler tension pulley can be adjusted to make easier the task...but i found it hard to get to the tension bolt on the lever...so i skipped it and did the following:

On the front engine compartment right above the radiator facing you as you open the hood is a sticker just to the left, indicating the belt routing. be sure to check it a couple times before you begin...i started from left to right..as you face the engine...wrapping the belt around the AC/power-steering side first..then under the idler pulley and over the alternator saving the the clutch fan pulley and main bearing pulley for last....(the belt should be groove to groove on all accessories except the idler pulley(not the idler tension pulley) and the clutch fan pulley. After you've routed the belt around all but the idle tensioner and main bearing pulley(big bottom wheel)...get under the vehicle and loop it over the idler tension wheel(little plastic wheel with a spring loaded arm)...with your right arm pull on the tensioner and from left to right begin to loop the belt under the main bearing wheel(big one ..right in front of your face at this point)push the tensioner and begin to push the big wheel to the right(HARD!) as the wheel slowly turns the belt will..slowly pull itself onto the big wheel using it as leverage it should pull the belt on. Make sure all loops look correct on the accessory pulleys and turn the engine over just for a second to make sure all is in line...see that there is no misconnected or damage...after a quick visual check...start the car again and let it run for a few minutes...as you check all the functions....if it looks,feels and sounds right you should be good to go...make sure light cluster does not indicate problems.

I read alot before i tried this...some suggestions for example said to use "a crow bar" or "breaker bar" to relieve tension while trying to slip the belt on the idler tension wheel....not a good idea, ...you cannot get a bar in the right place for leverage and slip the belt over it at the same time...*especially by your self*...also this will cause damage to the wheel itself if not careful...remember the tension wheel is plastic.

One suggestion i didn't try but sounds right is to lessen the tension on the spring using an apparent bolt located on the front on the spring arm..but again i had trouble reaching it let alone getting a good turn on it...

Hope my suggestion works..prepare to be slightly frustrated...but hang in there it can be done...i just did it.

good luck!!!