serpentine belt R & R

captainbill · Post by **captainbill** » 24 Feb 2012, 08:40

I purchase a 2005 xc90 2.5 5cyl 10 days ago. Yesterday it started making noise and getting louder. At first it sounded like power steering pump veins were dry and wining. Reservoir has fluid in it. I wanted to remove the serpentine belt to diagnose but I don't see how to release the tension on the belt to remove it. Any suggestions?

xallenx · Post by **xallenx** » 24 Feb 2012, 20:25

Use a flashlight and look at the R bottom side of the tensioner. You will see a torx fitting. Get the right size torx bit and pull towards the front of the car to take off tension. The hard part is when you try to put the dang thing back on. Have fun!

Post by **regent** » 25 Feb 2012, 15:44

Having a third hand to hold the ratchet with the torx bit and keep the tensioner compressed while threading the belt on the pulleys makes the whole exercise a piece of cake. (I am thinking about a pet Octopus...)

In reality, since I only got 2 hands, I make a loop out of a couple large size zip-ties or coat hangers. Just make sure it is done safely.