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Serpentine Belt Replacement Tips Posted by sondeen [Email]  (#796) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from sondeen) on Thu, 5 May 2011 10:03:43
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I recently replaced the Serpentine Belt in our '06 9-3 SC. I thought I would share my experience as I had a bit of trouble finding good information into the best way to release the tension on the belt. The space between the frame and the tensioner is rather tight.
Some advice I found said use a standard 3/8 ratchet, others ground down a ratchet to get it to fit, other advice said get a special belt tensioner tool (Lisle 59800, etc.), one post on another site even recomended bending such tool in 2 places to get it around the various components in the engine bay. Initially I tried a lower cost model of one of these tensioner tools, the bar was way too long an interfered with the rest of the car parts so that even when I got the 3/8 drive onto the tensioner, there was no room to swing the tool. That was promptly returned. I then tried my standard ratchet wrench, the head was to thick for the tight space and would not fit.
I ended up buying a Craftsman Thin Profile 3/8" Ratchet, Model# 44995, $32.95 It fit easy and worked well. After removing the right front wheel, I undid several fasteners on the wheel well liner and pulled it aside. It is then very easy to get to the tensioner from the bottom. I tugged the wrench forward to release tension, then held the tensioner in place with a peice of 2x4 jammed between the suspension arm and wrench handle. Threading the new belt was easy as there are not too many pullies on this car.
Some posters suggested the top of the line tool like a Lisle 59000, with the ratcheting head. I could see how this would likely also work well, but the suggested retail of close to $90 didn't seem reasonable for a tool I might use once every 4 years. The Craftsman wrench I can see myself using again soon and the price was right.
posted by 192.249.47...
, Thu, 5 May 2011 10:03:43 <-- Viewing This Message
, Thu, 5 May 2011 16:35:30, Fri, 6 May 2011 08:39:50
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