Changing 850 Serpentine Belt

tommy33 · Post by **tommy33** » 23 Feb 2009, 09:18

Just thought I'd share something with everyone struggling to remove or install the serpentine belt on an 850. Installed a new alternator on my 94 850 wagon this weekend. Didn't have the special tool to manipulate the belt tensioner. Saw the post about using three U.S. quarters and a vice grip which worked to get the belt off but I kept bending the quarters trying to exert enough pressure to reinstall the belt.

Went to ACE Hardware and for $1.49 purchased a hardened steel 3/4 inch plug used to cap off the end of a threaded piece of 3/4 inch cast iron water pipe. The plug's non threaded end was a raised square which fit almosted perfectly into the belt tension adjustment hole. Clamped a vice grip onto the threaded end and got the belt re installed easily.

Just thought I'd share this tip with anyone else struggling with this.

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 23 Feb 2009, 12:42

tommy33 wrote:Just thought I'd share something with everyone struggling to remove or install the serpentine belt on an 850. Installed a new alternator on my 94 850 wagon this weekend. Didn't have the special tool to manipulate the belt tensioner. Saw the post about using three U.S. quarters and a vice grip which worked to get the belt off but I kept bending the quarters trying to exert enough pressure to reinstall the belt.

Went to ACE Hardware and for $1.49 purchased a hardened steel 3/4 inch plug used to cap off the end of a threaded piece of 3/4 inch cast iron water pipe. The plug's non threaded end was a raised square which fit almosted perfectly into the belt tension adjustment hole. Clamped a vice grip onto the threaded end and got the belt re installed easily.

Just thought I'd share this tip with anyone else struggling with this.

Hey would a 1/2 in drive extension work? The square end on that is almost the same size? Or a 3/4 drive extension

tommy33 · Post by **tommy33** » 23 Feb 2009, 12:52

1/2 inch: No. I have a big breaker bar with a 1/2 inch socket head and it was too small. If you have a 3/4 inch adapter for a 1/2 inch socket that might work. I was looking for that at the hardware store when an employee suggested the pipe cap and that worked great. The employee had taken auto shop in H.S. and that is what his class used when they had the same issue.

Good Luck!

Larmor · Post by **Larmor** » 23 Feb 2009, 13:02

1/2 inch works if you have an early-style tensioner where the hole is part of the upper lip, not in the center of the pivot. However, I think those are only found in '93 models.

Post by **confused_al** » 23 Feb 2009, 13:22

If you have a sears tool chest, that locking bar is made for this job.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=17913