Sunday, November 21, 2010

How do I change the Serpentine belt on a 1987 Chevy S-10 4x4 Pick up 2.8 V6?

I am trying to replace the belt and I cant figure out how to get the tension off the belt. It looked like I could take the alternator off but now its half off and stuck and I dont see a suitable place to pry on it. I must be doing this the wrong way so I thought I would try this! ThanksHow do I change the Serpentine belt on a 1987 Chevy S-10 4x4 Pick up 2.8 V6?
Many vehicles with serpentine belt tensioners do have a hole to insert a breaker bar directly, but on yours you need to use a box end wrench or socket and breaker bar (preferred over a ratchet if at all possible). Sorry, I don't know offhand which size it would be, but usually around 3/4 inch. Might be metric.

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Place a large box wrench or 1/2 in. breaker bar and socket over the tensioner pulley axis bolt (the bolt in the center of the pulley portion, not the mounting portion) and rotate the tensioner counterclockwise loosen the belt.



While holding the tensioner in this position, remove the accessory drive belt and gently release the tensioner. (usually, it's easiest to slip the belt off the alternator first when removing, and slip it on the alternator last, after routing around the other pulleys when putting the new one on)



Never allow the tension to snap back into position with or without the belt installed. Allowing the sudden release of tension could result in damage to the tensioner assembly.



To install:



Begin to position the belt over the pulleys making sure the routing is correct.



Use the box wrench or breaker bar to pivot and hold the tensioner, then slip the belt fully into position.



Slowly ease the tensioner into contact with the belt.



No belt tensioning is necessary as the automatic tensioner is spring loaded.

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This web page has more info. Note that engines of different sizes and with different accessories have different belt routing. If you do not have a diagram under the hood (like on top of the radiator usually), then you should draw one by hand before you start.



http://www.ehow.com/how_4761749_chevy-dr



This one also mentions how the alternator can apparently be adjusted on yours. After the belt is off, try to put it back to where it was and re-fasten, then check the marks on the tensioner as described when you're done putting the new belt on, to be sure the mark on the tensioner arm is between the 2 marks on the tensioner base.



This is usually used to tell if a belt is stretched, but in your case, can help to make sure the alternator is back where it should be. Also, check the brackets for signs of where the bolts were before you loosened it.How do I change the Serpentine belt on a 1987 Chevy S-10 4x4 Pick up 2.8 V6?
There is an automatic belt tensioner on the motor that accepts a 3/8 drive ratchet and when you turn it you will be able to get the belt off. If you look at the belt routing diagram under the hood the tensioner will be noted with a small arrow telling you which way to turn it. Hope I have been helpful.