80 belt replacement for a idot (1 Viewer)

[spartan]

OK - I'm calling BS here.

You can't remove the dual alternator belts without removing the AC compressor belt - fact. You can't remove the AC compressor belt without getting under the truck unless you have a genie in a magic bottle.

I replaced the factory POS alternator tensioning lock bolt with a good square bolt to eliminate the problems that the factory unit causes. Use a good quality six point socket and you should not have any problems with it. Once you get it out replace it with a like size square shouldered bolt and you will never have any problems again.

And you won't have to take the fr#@ken battery box out. What a total waste of time. LOL

The tensioning adjustment bolt is very easy to reach from the wheel well unless you are blind or something.

Geez....

 

[Boston Mangler]

 

[NorCalDoug]

OK - I'm calling BS here.

You can't remove the dual alternator belts without removing the AC compressor belt - fact. You can't remove the AC compressor belt without getting under the truck unless you have a genie in a magic bottle.

I replaced the factory POS alternator tensioning lock bolt with a good square bolt to eliminate the problems that the factory unit causes. Use a good quality six point socket and you should not have any problems with it. Once you get it out replace it with a like size square shouldered bolt and you will never have any problems again.

And you won't have to take the fr#@ken battery box out. What a total waste of time. LOL

The tensioning adjustment bolt is very easy to reach from the wheel well unless you are blind or something.

Geez....

I use 6 point sockets. Still a PITA. Could it be that -- maybe -- some bolts could be a little tighter than others? Could it be that -- maybe -- some bolts could get "frozen" in place?

To be honest, at the time I hadn't considered looking through the wheel well, but given the size of my lift -- or lack thereof AND the size of my tires AND the lack of several feet of extensions...I'd say that removing the battery might be faster than removing the DS tire -- okay -- maybe it's a toss up.



The next time I get around to changing belts, I'll take a gander at lifting the DS flap. I suggest that anyone replacing their belts do the same.

fair enough? ;p

 

[spartan]

Dat's fair. I really am just trying to help.

Yes you are correct - the locking bolt and the adjustment bolt are a PITA.

....until I decided to look through the wheel well one day and I saw the light. Or rather the bolt head in this case.

It only takes a nine inch extension and you're there. No tire removal. Everybody has at least one six and one three extension laying around so you don't have to go out and buy anything.

Be careful not to over tension because you can't see or feel the belt when working fron the wheel well. Tighten in small increments and check. Better yet have someone hold the belt while you do the initial adjustment - tell you when to stop and fine tune from there.

Good luck to all.

And don't forget to throw that round shoulder POS tension locking factory torx bolt away when you get it out the first time and replace it with a regular head bolt. Solves the problem forever.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Not to keep beating a dead horse but in one of your first posts you mention removing a skidplate! I know for SURE i didnt do that.

Are you saying that if you go through the DS wheel well that you dont need to remove the skidplate?

I am confused!

 

[spartan]

Four 12MM bolts secure a plate on the underside oy your LC to protect the belts etc. These come out, the plate comes off and you can then get to the locking bolt and tensioning bolt for the AC compressor belt. That belt has to come off before you can replace the dual alternator belts. Might as well replace it too while you're at it.

I think there is hole in the plate to allow you to make that adjustment without removing the plate, but what a PITA when it takes all of 60 seconds to get the plate off and out of the way.

Alternator belt replacement requires you to loosen three bolts in this order:

The top pivot bolt.
The tension locking bolt. This is the one to replace and throw away.
Then the tension adjustment bolt through the wheel well.

Take off the old belts. Install the new ones. Adjust the tensioning bolt from the wheel well. Tighten the alternator pivot bolt and tension locking bolt from the top side of the engine compartment. Put the new AC belt on. Adjust and you're done.

 

[tarbe]

I use the "Spartan Method" and I wouldn't have it any other way

 

[spartan]

Thank you God. A man of sensibility.

And BTW - that's my nephew in the tard picture you posted Boston....shame on you!

 

[Bambusiero]

Boston Mangler made me really LAUGH OUT LOUD!

 

[Boston Mangler]

And BTW - that's my nephew in the tard picture you posted Boston....shame on you!

Please give him my congrats on the win!

 

[baxter650]

I don't have a genie but i changed my belts yesterday in 20 min w/o removing the battery or the skid plate. I used gear wrenches on the AC and alt tensioners from under the hood, i fail to see what the fuss is all about.

 

[CJF]

Wow. Two pages on changing belts. Good job guys! ;p

Hey bdyer, d'ja learn anything?

Bdyer?

Bdyer?

Hello?

 

[ThePatient1]

Let me make this easy on ya. Here is how I did it:

First REMOVE the drivers side front fender. YES THE WHOLE FxxxING FENDER TRUST ME IT WORKS! (Installation is the reverse of removal.) Next, remove that front drivers side tire! Those mud boggers ya got on there are gonna be in the way of your feet as you stand there working! DO NOT forget to jack up the front axle (opposite side you're working from.) BEFORE you take the wheel off! (Trust me I know this.)

NEXT grab the nearest sledge hammer you got, bigger the better (Don't forget those safety glasses.) GENTLY beat the battery box forward a little bit with said hammer (Looking from drivers front side hit towards front bumper, oh AND disconnect the GROUND WIRE!) once that is out of the way, remove the ABS sensor (Not needed with those boggers you got so while you're in there, of course!) I'd draw you a picture but I'm not near a piece of paper right now.

And FINALLY once that is all said and done...

Get on the forums and ask other people how to fix it!

Oh s***, sorry, the only part of the thread title I read before I posted was idiot.