I just replaced my AC compressor and need to put on the belt. I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing here, I need to loosen the tensioner bolt (15 mm on the passenger side of the engine at the top). Then the belt will slip right off and back on and tighten her up.

Only thing Im worried about is when I try to loosen the bolt it sounds like the tensioner is kinda pulling loose or I feel like Im going to break it. Is this okay? Or should I be worried? Am I doing something wrong here?

John

 

You don't actually loosen the bolt on the tensioner, just "swinging" it back to loose the belt enough to take it off. Once you have the main belt off, you can do the same with the tensioner on the ac belt.

 

Well Im officially the worst garage mechanic ever...I just wasted over an hour trying to get the AC belt on. Nothing i tried worked right. Tried loosening the tensioner and swinging it out of the way, nope wont work. Then I took the bastard off, still wont work. Then I tried to put it on 3 of the 4 pullies and wedge it onto the 4th, nope. So what have I learned? Cut hands hurt like hell, and AC belts are impossible to get on.

It seems a little too small, but its probably just me.
Somehow, the compressor and accumulator swap was easier and faster than my failed attempt to put on a flippin belt.

 

Have you tried using a 15mm wrench? Put the belt around the other pullies. Slide a 15mm wrench behind the belt and onto the bolt. Should be able to get it from there.