Changing serpentine belt?

[rayjay]

The students from Ford Assest that did my tranny service left me note that my serpentine belt should be replaced soon. I have the gatorback number and will obtain one on Monday. How much of a pain is it? I haven't done one in a while and its going to be cold.

[thePunisher]

it is insanely easy!!! all you need is a 3/8 ratchet

[captain]

Did mine last week, in the cold. It was starting to smell. (burn) I suggest literally drawing a picture of the threading pattern. Use a short 3/8 inch extension on your long handled ratchet. Stick it in the tensioner pulley.
left side, centerish. release the pressure pop it out, reinstall. I reinstalled from the tough to reach zone first and finished toward the top. Bottom right is tough to reach area. Really went well. 10 minutes or so. good luck

[ParkRanger]

The students from Ford Assest that did my tranny service left me note that my serpentine belt should be replaced soon. I have the gatorback number and will obtain one on Monday. How much of a pain is it? I haven't done one in a while and its going to be cold.

Had to change mine last week -- started screaming at me!!

[SILVERSURFER03]

o my i did mine could'nt be easier such a snap i even changed the tensioner took me 20/25 min and two sockets ... act like the commercial and just do it ...................... take my word it is sooooooooooooooo simple you'll see

[Breadfan]

Just a hint if you ever change one on a car without a diagram and forget how it went, typically the smooth pulleys will have the backside (smooth side) of the belt touching them and grooved pulleys will face the grooved side of the belt.

As other's mentioned use a ratched to move the tensioner which lets you pop the belt off, installation is reverse of removal as they say. :D

[SID210SA]

Its cake....I did mine and it was the first time I had ever changed a serpentine belt.....took less than ten minutes

[ctrlraven]

Depending on how many miles are on your MM you might want to check to see if the belt tensioner and idle pulley need to be replaced also. I replaced all of mine within about a 10k mile range (5-6 months for me).

[rayjay]

I was going to do it today, but not in 6 degree weather with wind. I looked at it and it needs changing, but not an emergency. I'll get it on my next set of RDOs. Thanks for the help.

[cyclopsram]

Get the new belt and the 3/8" ratchet with the 2 inch extension and put them in the trunk..then you will be sure the old one will not break before you are ready to change it. After changing, keep the old belt and the ratchet in the trunk for emergency changing 100 miles from no where two years from now. All my Panthers have a small tool kit and a spare belt in the trunk with the flashlight.

[burt ragio]

What is the average mileage found that the serp belts are being changed ?

[SID210SA]

mine is currently at 65K

[ParkRanger]

What is the average mileage found that the serp belts are being changed ?

Had to change mine at 66.5 K