Is it hard to install serpentine belt?

Post by **tboothe33** » 09 May 2012, 11:24

Need to install serpentine belt on 99 XC70. Is it hard to do? Are they any pictures posted on how to do it? I looked but can't find any.

Thanks in advance.

Tracy : )

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 May 2012, 11:42

It's not terrible. I had some difficulty fitting it on to all of the pulleys - but with some forcing it on with a screwdriver and crowbar, it slipped on without too much fuss.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/serpentine_belt.php

Make note of your existing routing. I know for 98-earlier cars, they changed it. I believe 99-2000 only ever had one belt.

Post by **tboothe33** » 09 May 2012, 12:33

Thanks, I knew it was out there somewhere.

IanF · Post by **IanF** » 09 May 2012, 16:21

FWIW, Harbor Freight sells a universal tensioner tool for less than the IPD tool:

http://www.harborfreight.com/serpentine ... 66344.html

I've seen it at the local store if you have one near by. I have no personal experience with it, but it appears similar to the more expensive K-D Gearwrench version I bought years ago (at 3x the $).

If you're a real tool junky like I am, then you can get one of these to help get the belt into place:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-18713 ... s-734.aspx

Post by **jtp** » 10 May 2012, 17:05

The hardest part is getting the new belt on. Even when your reducing the tension all they way and have the belt correctly routed it will seem like it's not going on. IT WILL.

Make sure your routing is correct and you got the right part# on your belt, then don't question yourself too much and get a little rough with it. I have someone de-tension the belt so the other person can use both hands and some muscle to get that $%(^! into place.

db130 · Post by **db130** » 10 May 2012, 17:31

the vise-grips and the coins method won't work on 99-00 XCs as the tensioner has a 14mm bolt head so you can use the aforementioned universal tensioner tool(I have the Kobalt version which is a rebranded Gearwrench).

a 14mm wrench + cheater pipe should give you enough leverage to release the tension in a pinch. that's what i had to resort to when i had to change the alternator.