LJ78 4 V-Belts

[markhc]

During new glow plug installation I noticed one of the V belts is cracking (I think it is a fan belt). I am an electrical technician by trade and performed V-Belt changes on HVAC equipment motors but have never done so on this truck. It looks pretty tight in there.

How much time should I allow for the entire procedue?
What components do I have to loosen or remove to get all four of the belts changed?

Some guidance would really help me.

 

[buggyboy7]

markhc

When was your timing belt done last? It's nice to do all the belts at the same time and then you don't have to touch them until the next T belt change. You are right, it's tight in there. Keith

 

[markhc]

timing belt done about 10,000 km ago.

 

[buggyboy7]

Belts

Mark,

Here's some info from memory that should help.

Take off the fan and radiator shroud. Remove the belly pan underneath just aft of the radiator. Looking up from underneath you will see the tensioner for the power steering pump belt (1).
Next is your A/C pump belt (1). There's an idler pulley just below the pump. Unlock by loosening the nut in the center of that pulley. The tensioner is a bolt that faces toward the right fender.
The alternator belts (2) are next. There's a locking bolt you get to from the front inboard of the alt pulley. The tensioner bolt faces outboard toward the fender.

If I recall one of them is hard to match at a Jobber. You can also get them from one of the JDM part suppliers which is probably easier.

I'm not sure of how long this will take. Depends on how much beer you consume.

Have fun, that's the main thing

Cheers

Keith

 

[markhc]

Mark,

Here's some info from memory that should help.

Take off the fan and radiator shroud. Remove the belly pan underneath just aft of the radiator. Looking up from underneath you will see the tensioner for the power steering pump belt (1).
Next is your A/C pump belt (1). There's an idler pulley just below the pump. Unlock by loosening the nut in the center of that pulley. The tensioner is a bolt that faces toward the right fender.
The alternator belts (2) are next. There's a locking bolt you get to from the front inboard of the alt pulley. The tensioner bolt faces outboard toward the fender.

If I recall one of them is hard to match at a Jobber. You can also get them from one of the JDM part suppliers which is probably easier.

I'm not sure of how long this will take. Depends on how much beer you consume.

Have fun, that's the main thing

Cheers

Keith

I ordered a belt kit from 4Wheel Auto. $89 for the four belts. How much deflection should I aim for when tightening up the new belts?

 

[buggyboy7]

Belts

Mark

7 to 10 mm for new belts, 10 to 15 mm for used.

K

 

[flyfishbc]

altenator belts can be bought at lordco. Dayco Gold label #17415. power steering belt Dayco Gold label #17350. a/c disconnected, so no idea. about 20 bucks each

 

[markhc]

Thanks everyone for the input. Those deflection numbers are nice to have. Time to crack some beer and have at her.

 

[markhc]

The first two belts came off easily.

I just can't get the alternator to slide inward to get the two belts off. I loosened both nuts (tension and locking) but the alternator won't slide.

Tips appreciated. How much do I have to loosen the two nuts? What am I missing?

 

[flyfishbc]

there are 3 bolts holding the alt. lock nut just needs to be loosened. the tensioner needs to be loosened about 2 inches
, to adjust out far enough to get the new ones on. then there is one hidden ferther back that also goes into the altenator, it pivots on this bolt, it is hard to see, but its possible.

 

[markhc]

there are 3 bolts holding the alt. lock nut just needs to be loosened. the tensioner needs to be loosened about 2 inches
, to adjust out far enough to get the new ones on. then there is one hidden ferther back that also goes into the altenator, it pivots on this bolt, it is hard to see, but its possible.

Thanks flyfish. After posting I went back outside and found the 3rd hidden bolt tucked away. That hidden bolt sure made it easier

The nice thing about mechanical work is that if I push and stare long enough at things eventually something moves

 

[markhc]

One more thing.

What is the small round free spinning wheel near the top of rad that the back of the largest belt touches (2nd belt in from the front of the truck)? Mine only seems to spin 'sometimes'. It looks like a guide of some sort.

After driving around I get a bit a 'fresh rubber' smell. It's kind of concerning me. It's not overpowering, but faint. I can't see anywhere that the belts are rubbing. It is just the new rubber?

 

[flyfishbc]

its just an idler pulley for ur a/c belt. make sure you tightened the lock nut on the adjuster bolt, i forgot and it backed out a bit and ran the belts crooked, chewed them up in no time. ( maybe the smell). or to belts are to tight, 9-11 mm up and down play.