Help please-Removing the belt
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
Help please-Removing the belt 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.
I need to remove it so i can replace the power steering pump. 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.
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
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.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
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?
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
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.
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 $20 they cost.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 3
From: Dolla$ , TX
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.
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.
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? 
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:
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.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: LITH, IL.
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.
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.
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.