Date: 13 May 2007 18:51:36 -0700 From: yaofeng <yaofengchennospaml.com> Subject: Re: How long should it take to install pulley and damper...
On May 6, 7:32 am, Etaoin Shrdlu <shr...nospamlid.com> wrote: > ...for the serpentine belt on a "94 Saab 9000 CSE? Three hours seems a > bit excessive to me. It's not like it's that hard to get at. I thought > of doing it myself, but it looks a bit tricky. > > Any advice appreciated. You don't need three hours. You do need to remove the passenger side wheel arch, loosen the belt to remove the crank pulley. An impact wrench helps but not absolutely necessary. The most elegant way of removing and installing the belt is to use a 1/2" drive 18" long breaker bar with a 19 mm short socket. Stand in front of the car facing the rear with the hood open. Slip the socket onto the nut on the tensioner and start pushing the breaker bar toward the rear. The tensioner will gradually give way. When it does the belt will be loosened. Keep the force on the breaker bar with your right hand. Crouch down to remove the belt with your left hand. Remember the belt routing. Installation is the same way. You do not need any special tools to remove and install the serpentine belt. The crank pulley needs a 27 mm socket. If you do not have a helper, do the following. Shift the gear into fifth. Slip the 27 mm socket and the breaker bar on and have the tip of the bar rest on the ground. Then put the tire and wheel lug on hand tight. Rotate the tire to loosen the crank pulley nut. It is critical you tighten the crank pulley nut to 129 ft-lbs. A loose crank pulley could spell disaster. The engine timing depends on it. A loose pulley could mean the timing chain slipping relative to the cam shafts.