00silverT/AWS6

How do i remove the belt on my wife's 06 Impala SS? I think i have spotting the tensioner pulley, and figured out it is a torx bolt, but any combination of torx bit and ratchet or breaker bar i have will not fit on the bolt. Is the torx even how you turn it? Why a torx bolt? Is there a special tool? I am starting to miss her 3800 lesabre. I need to remove it so i can replace the power steering pump.

BuffaloSS

iTrader: (3)

Don't know of anyone who has needed to do their own. My tensioner went at 7000mi and the dealer replaced it. Not lookin forward to messin with the belt when that time comes. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Area47

there is a special tool for the tensioner

MagnaPilot

Yep, so special, it took my dealer 6 weeks to get the tool to change my power steering pump. No idea what the tool is, or what the part number is. I suppose a dealer might be nice and tell you, but who knows how to order it.

00silverT/AWS6

My friend that rebuilt the car (it was smashed) told me that if I take off the wheel and remove the wheel well cover I can get a box end wrench on the tensioner. I would have him help me but he is in WNY and I'm in OKC The torx bolt just removes the pulley. If all else fails I can pull on the belt between the PS and water pump hard enough to move the tensioner and remove it, I would just rather do it the right way. I will let you guys know what works. Magnapilot why did your PS pump have to be replaced, I thought mine was bad due to the accident, maybe not?

MagnaPilot

I complained of a whining noise on my car, I know its the transmission while its in gear, I just wanted to see what they said. Instead they changed the PS pump. Oh well... maybe I'm just hearing things.. S'Ok though, now I'll get the water leak fixed, that I didn't even know was there.

eddiemoney

iTrader: (2)

I haven't looked at this car, but with most GMs the story is the same. You apply pressure to the tensioner with a long handled breaker bar (1/2" I believe). This pushes the tensioner enough to loosen the belt. Someone mentioned the tool which is simply a 1/8 inch thick plate bar with a socket on the end. This may be required for this car with the limited clearance. You can rent them from most autoparts store, or just buy one for the $20 they cost.

eddiemoney

iTrader: (2)

Adding to my last post. . .here is the tool:



You can find it at jegs or whatever for $20.

Sint3k

what where your symptoms of bad tensioner ?

BuffaloSS

iTrader: (3)

Snap, crackle, pop on the highway at 70mph...it just happened. The wife had the car and said she heard a POP, lost PS and pulled to the side of the road. No warning whatsoever.

Martin88XJ

Buffalo,

How many miles on your belt when it failed?

Martin

MonteSS8707

iTrader: (4)

There is a special belt tensioner tool you need to remove the belt on our cars. You can not use a standard serpentine belt tool. The GM part number for this tool is EN-47988. I'm in the process of locating and purchasing this tool. I will let all of you know as I find out about this.

BuffaloSS

iTrader: (3)

Sorry, Martin...didn't see this post back at the beginning of the month. If you still care to know, it happened at 7500mi or so, iirc.

MonteSS8707

iTrader: (4)

I've got this serpentine belt tool coming. It set me back $100 and should be in my hands in about 4-5 days. I will let you all know and post pics as soon as I get it. It needs to hurry up because I'm chomping at the bit to install my 1.8 ratio roller rockers. The belt and the alternator has got to come off to install this. So as soon as I know you all will as well.

MonteSS8707

iTrader: (4)

Heres some pics of the serpentine belt tool. Like I said its about $100 and you ain't gonna get the belt off and back on without it. Even with this tool its still kind of a pain. You can't see the 1/2 drive where it fits, just gotta feel around for it. Did I mention all the space they give you on these cars?

BuffaloSS

iTrader: (3)

Sheeeeit! For $100 I can buy a piece of scrap steel and have a 1/2" nub welded onto it...and spend the other $90 on bandages, gauze, and burn cream so that when you need to do this on the side of the highway in the summer, you can do first aid on the spot. :roll:

MonteSS8707

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, tell me about it Buff! All my co-workers want to make these belt tools now. Shoulda found someone with one and made my own. But oh well, I need it to do my roller rockers and I'm sure I'll change the belt eventually. Hopefully later than sooner though.

06 SS

Nah, to rotate the engine all you have to do is pull the plugs and get a wrench on the (iirc) alternator pulley bolt to spin the engine. The belt can stay on (has to really, as it, in turn, spins the crank pulley)

Worse comes to worst, all you have to do (as long as non-adjustable rockers) is disconnect the fuel pump and bump the engine a couple times while checking the torque on the rockers after each bump.

MonteSS8707

iTrader: (4)

The alternator and belt has to come off to get the back valve cover off. I've got a remote starter to bump the engine over. I'm not going to take the plugs out, it'll be a little easier to turn over without the belt.

BuffaloSS

iTrader: (3)

Where is the "hood open" switch located? I was trying to find it so that I could RS the car with the hood open and diagnose a noise at cold startup.