i have cracks forming on my belts....so time to get new ones. my question is how hard are they to replace. the dealership wants 70 bucks but i dont think it should cost THAT much, just a lot of labor if u ask me. but i want to know how hard and, if u can tell me, how to replace the belts. i am told the v-belt is one wearing out(left side of the engine bay runing towards the front of the car). but i should probably replace them all if one is starting to go right?

 

v belt?? you mean the power steering belt? the belts arent too hard to replace. ive done mine (with exception of timing belt). look on webtech. the hardest part is making sure you tighten them back up properly. you dont want them too loose or too tight.

 

I've done this a couple times, need to again. I suggest taking the pass side wheel off and then just ubolting everything pertaining to the belts. Most of them you can just loosen enough to get the belt off the pulleys. Since you're changing them all you shouldn't run into any problems. Just remember which ones go where. Once everything is back in place tighten the belts so you have 1/2 inch of play when you push down on the belts. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

When you're finished, drive for a week or so then check the belts again. From heat and use the will stretch or shrink a little bit. Always maintain that 1/2 (or whatever) bit of play.

 

i thought it was 1/4, but im also not sure... haha

 

It's not too hard to do and it is a good idea to replace both belts. It'll save you some work in the future. If you havn't done so already, you might want to consider getting an underdrive pully/ underdrive pully set since you'll be changing out the belts.

 

will i have to jack the car up or not.

 

Sorry to piggyback, but it is related.

I'm going to have to do my belts to, to include the timing belt. I am going to call around and see how much it will be to get them done at a shop since I have never done a timing belt before. Since I am getting them done, I went ahead and bought one of the OBX Underdrive pullies. The timing belt is still the standard size right? Would it be better to purchase the belt online rather than from whoever I get to install it? Are the Goodyear Gatorback belts that are sold at Autozone reliable? I also ordered the Timing Idler and Timing Tensioner. What else do I need?

 

00Tibby - yes I would suggest it. It would make it easier on you. You can get to the belts better.

Java - yes it should stay the same size, check with who you bought it from to make sure. If you're unsure get the people who are installing it to do it. They can't charge you more for a different size.

 

Java.. if you were not a twenty hour drive.. I would come down there and give you a hand.

 

That would be awesome if you were closer. I don't really know anyone here that 's into stuff like this. If I was at my father in-laws he could help me. There was a local site that had people that would assist you in jobs like this for $50 or so, but the site seems to have disappeared.