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  #1  
Old 07-20-2012, 02:21 PM
DiYJS90 DiYJS90 is offline
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Question Serpentine Belt Reinstallation

I have been searching for an answer to my question both on this forum and throughout the internet, but have yet to find a definitive answer.

I had to replace my alternator, have had no issues with any part of the process up to this point, but I cannot seem to get the belt back on, even with two people (one pushing down the tensioner and one trying to get the belt back onto the idler pulley). Before anyone asks I have the belt routed correctly, I have the tensioner as far as it will go, and to the best of the auto parts store's knowledge, I have the correct alternator.

I get about 1/4 to 1/8 of space from the belt to the edge of the pulley, I am just wondering if this is normal or if I should consider returning the alternator and asking them to double check.

Sorry for the text-wall, trying to clear things up before anyone asks.
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Old 07-20-2012, 02:52 PM
19Delta 19Delta is offline
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Default Re: Serpentine Belt Reinstallation

Pretty normal man, the belts stretch with time so with a new belt you have very little to no play sometimes, this way the belt stays tight after it ages and stretches.
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  #3  
Old 07-20-2012, 03:46 PM
tomboy tomboy is offline
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Default Re: Serpentine Belt Reinstallation

If you have the tensioner pushed all the way and the belt won't slip over the alt pullly, something is wrong. You probebly had to exchange your old one, so you can't compair, but it sounds like they gave you one with the wrong sized pulley. I'd pull that one back off, take it back and have them dig up your old one to compair with.
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Old 07-20-2012, 04:01 PM
Stinkbaitj Stinkbaitj is offline
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Default

The last pulley you put your belt on should be tension pulley.
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Old 07-20-2012, 05:34 PM
DiYJS90 DiYJS90 is offline
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Default Re: Serpentine Belt Reinstallation

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Delta View Post
Pretty normal man, the belts stretch with time so with a new belt you have very little to no play sometimes, this way the belt stays tight after it ages and stretches.
The belt is the same belt since there was little to no cracks or wear, don't know if that matters.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Stinkbaitj View Post
The last pulley you put your belt on should be tension pulley.
The tension pulley is fairly far down and behind the fan so it seemed far more difficult to slip over that one. Perhaps I will take the alternator off and bring it back to the store and have them check it against the old one.
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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 2WD 5 Speed

To do: New tires/rims, LED interiors, Exhaust

Done: Aftermarket Radio/door speakers
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Old 07-20-2012, 07:01 PM
Stinkbaitj Stinkbaitj is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DiYJS90

The tension pulley is fairly far down and behind the fan so it seemed far more difficult to slip over that one. Perhaps I will take the alternator off and bring it back to the store and have them check it against the old one.

If you havnt tried then how do you know? You should have plenty of room to do it but feel free to do whatever you feel. Every vehicle I have worked on where I removed the belt and replaced it with a new one has slid right on. If you took the belt off and can not get it back on your problems should be limited to these:

Not releasing the tension pulley enough

Wrong belt

You have ran it the wrong way.


Alternators to my knowledge, are very unique to the vehicle. If yours bolted right in then you have the correct one. Your chances of having a alternator with a pulley 1/8 of a inch to big is slim to none.
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  #7  
Old 07-21-2012, 09:17 AM
DiYJS90 DiYJS90 is offline
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Default Re: Serpentine Belt Reinstallation

Problem solved, the tensioner was not going as far as it should have been, had to struggle to get the edge of the belt onto the alternator and then bump it over a couple times, snapped right into place.
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1999 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 2WD 5 Speed

To do: New tires/rims, LED interiors, Exhaust

Done: Aftermarket Radio/door speakers
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  #8  
Old 07-21-2012, 09:31 AM
Stinkbaitj Stinkbaitj is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DiYJS90
Problem solved, the tensioner was not going as far as it should have been, had to struggle to get the edge of the belt onto the alternator and then bump it over a couple times, snapped right into place.
Replace your tensioner is suggested. Good job and good luck.
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