The old one snapped while driving. Will I need a belt tensioner? It shouldn't be too hard, but I can't figure out what I need to loosen to get the new one on. Will I need to remove the fan belt to get the alternator belt on? Any advice would be really helpful.How do I change the alternator belt in an 87 Suburban?
I get a kick out of these kids who think that every vehicle ever made has one single Serpentine belt. They probably couldn't adjust a set of points if they were stranded in the Yukon and their life depended on it.
You will need to remove any belts that are mounted in front of the Alternator belt. As far as the Alternator, those are easy. There are 2 bolts holding it in, one short one, and one long one, The long one is the one the Alternator pivots on. The short one keeps it from pivoting by locking it in place, although both should be tightened when you are done. Just loosen both, and push the Alternator towards the engine.
You probably have at least a Power Steering belt in front, and usually if you have Air Conditioning, that will be in the back on yours, if I remember correctly. Either of those are usually a little more complicated, as they have more than 2 bolts you have to loosen. The Power Steering has one on the back (a nut actually) that a lot of people don't notice.
Here are some pictures that might help;
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/m
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/m
Notice that the Power Steering has 3 bolts right in front of the pump, but those hold the pump to the bracket, so leave those alone. You want to loosen the 2 nuts/bolts towards the engine side, that hold the bracket to the engine, and the one in back, and move the pump and front bracket at the same time. The back bracket doesn't move like the front one does.
To get the belt off all the way, you will have to get it over the fan, which is easiest if you start on one side of the fan, and work your way towards the other side of the fan, one blade at a time. Put the new belts back over the fan the same way, except in reverse.
Once you get all the belts in place and on the pulleys, you need to move the device back away from the engine to tighten the belt. Be careful with the Power Steering especially, when using a pry bar, as the outside is the fluid reservoir. That bends easily, and can cause a leak if you do bend it.
Once you get the belt tight enough, tighten one of the lockdown bolts, which are mounted over a slot. Then tighten the rest, including the pivot bolts. Start the engine up, making sure that no one else is standing by the front of the car, and make sure they're still on and tight after you shut the engine off.How do I change the alternator belt in an 87 Suburban?
You don't need to loosen anything. There should be a drawing of the belt route on the fan shrout. It should have picture of where the belt go. All you need is 3/4%26quot; socket and a long breaker bar.
1. You route all the belt to all the parts it is suppose to, power steering, a/c, alternator, main pulley, smog pump and of course the tensioner is last.
2. You stick the socket on the tensioner bolt and pull onto it while placing the belt over the tensioner.
Once the belt is on the tensioner, you are done! Making sure the belt go onto the other part properly. You can then start the engine.How do I change the alternator belt in an 87 Suburban?
you only need a new belt tensioner if the old one has no tension on it or it vibrates too much when the engine is running, you will need either a 3/8 or 1/2 breaker bar, the tensioner arm will have a square hole to place the bar socket into, use the bar as a lever to slide the new belt in.
