Re: serpentine belt removal/ installation
Could be worse....I just changed the serp belt on a neighbor's 2003 Chevy Malibu. Easy enough with plenty of clearance, but I had to use my engine crane to support the motor while I took a motor mount off. That stupid belt loops right around the mount and it can't be removed otherwise. Had no problem with the tensioner, though...this one just takes the business end of a 3/8 inch ratchet to give a solid grip and move it. <br /><br />I liked Bondo's comment...years ago I got "bit" by one myself. Broke my finger. I felt like a cartoon character with my finger jammed between a grooved alternator pulley and the belt under FULL tension. Then, of course, I dropped the wrench. Screamed there for about 10 minutes until my wife came out. Then I had to talk her through finding the wrench (which unfortunately didn't fall ALL the way through to the ground) so I could rescue myself. All while in HORRIFYING pain. Lesson learned: Now I only pull them back with a VERY long wrench and make DARN sure I have that wrench firmly placed wherever it needs to be. Respect those buggers.<br /><br />Another tip...It's usually easier to go ahead and loop the new belt around the tensioner early in the game. Then hold the tensioner back and set the loose belt onto a pulley that's up top (maybe an alternator, A/C, or idler pulley, for instance) and much easier to reach. Everyone always seems to think that belt has to go on the tensioner LAST....why is that? That's the HARDEST one to put it on because the wrench is always in the way!<br /><br />I've done Taurus's before...'tis a knuckle skinner...barely any room between the frame rail and the tensioner pulley to get a wrench in there. It can be quite a challenge if you have only standard mechanics tools. Ditto on the eariler recommendation to rent or borrow the proper tool if this becomes too difficult for you to get yours in there.
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