Hey guys,

I have replaced my alternator but having the worst time trying to get the alternator drive belt back on the drive belt tensioner. Are there any "tricks" to getting it back on alone, or do I need another set of hands? I have fought with this thing for 3 hours. Is there a rule of thumb to trying to start it on the top or bottom of the tensioner?

Thanks,
Michael

 

Route the belt around the larger pulleys first and slip into onto the smallest pulley last. Route the belt around the water pump, compressor, idler pulleys, crankshaft pulley and tensioner, then relieve tensioner tension, slip the belt over the alternator pulley and release the tensioner slowly. It is easier to slip it over a small pulley than over a large one.