Trcks for replacing all the belts?? Options

[black92_tsi_awd]

I need to replace all the belts, except the timing belt. Any tricks I should know before I start??

[90GSX]

i dont really know of any tricks, its a pretty simple process, of course ive done it dozen of times or so in the past month getting to the timing belt. If your close to timing belt time, may as well do it while your at it. Same would go for the water pump. Basically pull off the the upper motor mount, PS pump, Alternator, then AC (if applicable), installation is reverse of removal Just keep the AC belt and the Alternator belt seperate, cause they can get mixed up easily and then you gotta pull off the ac tensioner all over again. Its the biggest pain for me, cause you gotta hold it in place while trying to start bolts, all with your hand crammed down into the engine and fender area. Oh and before you loosen any belts, break the water pump pully bolts loose with a 10mm wrench first, makes it so much easier. And remember the orentation on how the 2 pullys go on, cause you can get them backwards and its a PIA to get back off again. Other than all that, you need a deepwell 17mm socket, 14, and a 12 socket too, and a 10mm, 12, and 14mm wrench.

[black92_tsi_awd]

I just finished pulling off the inner fender liners to take a look around. Could they put the pulleys CLOSER to the frame??? I predict some busted knuckles!

The timing belts only had 25-30K on it so I'm going to leave it alone. The PS pump is cracked but the other belts look fine. I'm going to replace all three though.

Do I have to take off the water pump pulley if I'm not replacing the timing belt?

Removing the upper motor mount is a good idea, should give a little more hand room.

[90GSX]

I guess im used to going in deeper so i always take it off, but i suppose you dont need to if it doesnt hinder getting the AC pully bracket off, make sure to slip the PS belt on BEFORE the alternator belt, but tighten down the alt. before putting the PS pump back on, makes it soo much easier

[turbohcar]

The timing belts only had 25-30K on it

They say to replace them every 20-30k for good measure.

[black92_tsi_awd]

I thought it was evey 60K.

Guess I'll take a good look at today!

[turbohcar]

I'm sure the dealer reccomends every 60k, but most performance shops reccomend every 30k.

[black92_tsi_awd]

Got everything replaced pretty quick today. I'll get the timing belt replaced before winter.

Found a busted engine mount when I removed it to swap the belts. Look like I got another project!!

[SCCA Stang]

if you have a chiltons manual for the car, they show some really good diagrams/pictures and have great instructions for belt removal/install

I did it for the first time when I was home on leave... my crankpulley broke and I think I had it apart and fully operational in about 1 hour flat... replaced all the belts in the process... pretty easy with the chilton's book

it is probably one of the best investments I have ever made for my DSM.

Ben

[black92_tsi_awd]

I've got a chiltons manual, I was just looking for info ahead of time that might make life a little easier. Stuff like 90GSX's hint at taking the upper mount off. That made it alot easier.

[black92_tsi_awd]

Well the powersteering belt started squeeling the other day on start up. I set the tension like the repair guide specs 1/4" deflection when I originally installed the belt.

So today I went out and used a 2' pry bar to move the pump as far as I could. Belt has about 1/8"deflection. Still gives 1 chirp once in a while. You guys normally crank the tension up this far???

[90GSX]

may wanna check that its not coming from the alt. belt. I had squeeling on start up and i kept tightening the ps belt and it never fixed it, finally i gave the alt belt a couple extra turns and i never had a squeel since