Hey guys,

Belt from the alternator to the crankshaft (vbelt system, NOT serpentine) is going to snap any day now (it's almost completely shredded). If I just swap in a new one will that work? Or could a messed up pulley (ie: sharp part of it) caused this?

1) How can I know the length of the belt so I can order a new one (the one from the alternator to the crankshaft)
2) Will it shred again after replacing?
3) To change it all I have to do is loosen the alternator bracket and then slide off the old belt, then slide on the new one and then tighten the alternator bracket in a way that the belt is as tight as possible?)

Thanks!

 

That belt should be over the crank, water pump, & alt.

1. A 7445 or 7450 or 15450 are the right thing. (7/16" or 15/32" wide, 44.5" or 45.0" long) 15445 will work and is my favorite but can be tough to get on initially.
2. Depends on why it's shredding now... I'm guessing this has been going on for a while, so, it's probably just old, in which case a new one will be fine.
3. Right. A tire tool under the alt makes a great pry bar. Just don't pry against the valve cover.

 

Thnx Sofa. Just put in a 42.5" one from "Bando" which this local parts store said was a good brand.. anyone heard of them? Its made in USA so should be good..

Should i spray on belt dressing or is it okay to just put it on dry?

 

Never hear of "Bando". Can't comment on that. Must not be something available south of the border. I personally stick with Dayco, Gates, or Goodyear as much as possible.

Belt dressing shouldn't be necessary. Might help but it's certainly OK without it.

 

Ok cool. Well, it was 25$ :O so it better be good or I'm going back to the parts store and givin' em hell lol.

Yeah I think I'll not use belt dressing, I read that is was pretty much for older non-EPDM belts, so it's not needed.

Btw, I installed the belt but had trouble getting it super tight.. I twisted the belt slightly over 90* in between the longest stretch of belt (which was in between the alt and crank) so it's slightly loose it seems.. How tight does it have to really be?

Also, does it matter which way I install it? Ex: Does it go on any way or is there a specific direction ?

 

I installed it a week ago and drove it all week and it ran good but at times it would squeak which meant it wasn't tight enough, so this morning I tried to loosen the bolts to tighten it a bit but then as I was loosening the lower bolt the tool got stuck on the bolt and I couldn't get it off and so I tried to pull the tool off and instead the bolt came out of the head and all those little washers fell out and I didn't see where they went.. There are 3 metal washers, one small one, two bigger ones, and what looks to be some plastic one where only half of it remains (must have been broken). Do you guys know where these washers go? Do they all go in between the alt. bracket and the head? Or in between the alternator and the bracket? Or some on both? Note to self.. Do not rush some repair right before going to work .. lol.