Serpentine belt removal
 

Can anyone tell me how to release the tension on the serpentine belt (Discovery II 2002)? I know this should be easy, but, I'm a novice (or just dumb and not seeing it). Anyway, any help would be greatly apprecitated. thanks

Put a long ratchet or serp removal tool on it and push hard to the right while slipping the belt off the Alt or AC compressor, it spring loaded so it will spring right back.

the pulley located on the upper left....

15mm socket on a breaker bar on the bolt holding the tensioner pulley and make like you are fastening the bolt, this will release the tension on the serp belt and you can slip it off the alternator pulley.

make sure you pull back on the tensioner arm and don't loosen the bolt that holds the tensioner to the block..ask me how I know...my damn tensioner has been making a squeal at low rpm ever since :rolleyes:

This is a D1 but basically the same.

Attachment 46618

...and when you have the belt removed from the alternator, slowly ease tension on the wrench, otherwise it snaps back, further than where it started, resulting in damaged fingers, components in the way of the wrench, or a wrench dropped into the dirty container of motor oil you have moved forward since draining the oil, so you avoid making a mess. *looks around innocently*

ok, perhaps I should have said: make sure the wrench doesn't twist in your sweaty hand, or the like, when you move your body ever so slightly to remove the belt from the alternator.

(my post was to reinforce the spring-loaded part, and to interject some humor at my own expense)