May 20, 2016, 11:17 AM
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- Camaro and Firebird How to Change Serpentine Belt<br>Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs.
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difficulty of changing serpentine belt?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh
difficulty of changing serpentine belt? i got my oil changed yesterday and they told me my serpentine belt is cracked very badly and needs replacement asap or i'll "find myself on the side of the road somewhere." i'm sure they were exaggerating, but I do want to replace it since it squeaks every now and then after it rains. I looked online and it looks like there are several serpentine belts for sale. are there any that you would reccomend? and also about how much time does it take to replace it? thanks.
Serpentine belts are easy. I remember doing mine right after I bought my Z when it had 62k. When I had my mechanic look at it before buying it he said that it needed a belt, so I replaced it. On LS1s there are two belts, one for the water pump, alternator, and power steering, and another for the a/c compressor. I only replaced my power steering/alternator/water pump one and it was easy. Just use a 3/8" (I think thats the size, but you can use trial and error) ratchet on the tensioner to slip the belt off the pulley and pulled it out. I then looked at the diagram on my driver's side strut tower to see the route for which the belt follows, and reinstalled with the last step being the belt tensioner (I used the ratchet to take the tension off, and slipped the belt off). You will need to jack your car up for this, and possibly remove your intake tube to get at it better (i dont remember that part but I might have had to). Its really easy, should take no more than 1/2 hour. Good luck.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Just This Side of Damnation
Serpentine belt changes are as easy as can be. Purchase a good quality belt. Not the cheapest.
They take five minutes or less if you've done it before. Ten, maybe, if it's your first time. Ratchet in the tensioner and off you go...
They take five minutes or less if you've done it before. Ten, maybe, if it's your first time. Ratchet in the tensioner and off you go...
Originally Posted by Shinigami2x4
Its a 15 mm socket and use it with a breaker bar. On a scale from 1-10 of difficulty i would say -5. its easy, just like connecting the dots when you were a kid..
Whoa buddy stop right there......its not quite that hard.
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lol nah i'll probly take care of it later today. thanks for the help ls1-techers 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, IA
Maybe that statment was misunderstood, i ment it was a negitive five in a 1 to 10 difficulty scale..which would basically mean it should be common sense. Back when i was younger, a fellow i knew that worked on cars (hence where my interest came from) told me to not start it off the bat after a belt replacement, turn or cycle it a few times then start it to give the belt a little time to adjust it self without full force.
Originally Posted by Shinigami2x4
Maybe that statment was misunderstood, i ment it was a negitive five in a 1 to 10 difficulty scale..which would basically mean it should be common sense. Back when i was younger, a fellow i knew that worked on cars (hence where my interest came from) told me to not start it off the bat after a belt replacement, turn or cycle it a few times then start it to give the belt a little time to adjust it self without full force.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh
Originally Posted by Shinigami2x4
Maybe that statment was misunderstood, i ment it was a negitive five in a 1 to 10 difficulty scale..which would basically mean it should be common sense. Back when i was younger, a fellow i knew that worked on cars (hence where my interest came from) told me to not start it off the bat after a belt replacement, turn or cycle it a few times then start it to give the belt a little time to adjust it self without full force.
Originally Posted by Tuffguy610
Serpentine belts are easy....
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Seven Nation Army
just changed mine this weekend..... very simple... 15mm... took less then 5 mins.... the belts were like 60 bucks though... i have the SLP pulley and need the shorter belts... why are the shorter belts so dam expensive???
