Is it hard to change a serpentine belt on a 2002 dodge stratus?

Answer 1

It is more involved that most vehicles. Just finished doing this on my 2002 Stratus 2.4L. You pretty much have to remove the passenger tire and wheel wall to do it, but I was able to do it myself and am not a mechanic.

Note: I offer this solely as a description of how I accomplished it on my own. It should not be taken as me advising you or anyone in any way on how or whether they manage to repair their own vehicles.

1) Engaged parking brake, loosened lugs on passenger front tire.

2) Jacked-up and placed jack-stand.

3) Removed piece of black under-carriage which surrounds the oil filter and attaches to front bumper. There are at least 10 plastic push-pins to remove and I managed to destroy half of them in the process.

4) Positoned belt over lower pulleys and tensioner (as best as possible) then used a bungee to hold the top end of belt up while I worked under the car.

5) Used a 3/8 ratchet and inserted into square hole attached to the tensioner, disengaged the tensioner (moves clockwise) then used a brace to keep the ratchet handle in that position. (Or line up the holes in the tensioner arm and back late and insert a 4mm drill bit to hold the tensioner off)

6) From top, removed bungee and finished placing belt over alternator, checked the position of entire belt, reengaged the tensioner, and replaced wall and wheel.