Ac Belt Magic

[RustyMartin43]

2004 Envoy XL 5.3L V8

It can't be magical but I am haveing a deuce of a time getting the new AC belt on the AC Pulley after putting it around the Crankshaft Pulley, rotating the tensioner (clockwise) to it's fullest extent. The belt just will not slip over the AC Pulley. I have tried 2 different mfgrs of belts with the same results. There must be something I am missing. I make sure it is seated in the grooves on the CS Pulley, over the tensioner pulley (fully extended) and then try to fit it over the AC pulley. Any guidance will be much appreciated.

[Zembonez]

2004 Envoy XL 5.3L V8

It can't be magical but I am haveing a deuce of a time getting the new AC belt on the AC Pulley after putting it around the Crankshaft Pulley, rotating the tensioner (clockwise) to it's fullest extent. The belt just will not slip over the AC Pulley. I have tried 2 different mfgrs of belts with the same results. There must be something I am missing. I make sure it is seated in the grooves on the CS Pulley, over the tensioner pulley (fully extended) and then try to fit it over the AC pulley. Any guidance will be much appreciated.

Don't know of a trick but here are the published instructions. Hope they somehow help.

 

5.3L Engine

 

A/C Compressor Belt

 

Remove the accessory drive belt.

Raise the vehicle.

Install a ratchet into the square opening of the air conditioning (A/C) belt tensioner.

Rotate the A/C belt tensioner clockwise in order to relieve tension on the belt.

Remove the A/C belt from the pulleys.

Slowly release the tension on the A/C belt tensioner.

Remove the ratchet from the A/C belt tensioner.

Clean and inspect the belt surfaces of all the pulleys.

 

To install:

 

Install the A/C belt around the crankshaft balancer.

Install a ratchet into the square opening of the A/C drive belt tensioner.

Rotate the A/C belt tensioner clockwise in order to relieve tension on the belt.

Install the A/C belt over the idler pulley.

Install the A/C belt around the A/C compressor pulley.

Slowly release the tension on the A/C belt tensioner.

Remove the ratchet from the A/C belt tensioner.

Inspect the A/C belt for proper installation and alignment.

Lower the vehicle.

Install the accessory drive belt.

[wawa]

put the belt over ac pulley and crank pulleyand tuck the belt in behind the tensioner pulley. use ratchet to pull down on the tensioner and lift belt up onto tensioner pulley. this is the way i do it at work as the directions from gm for this operation suck. you have to put the belt on the tensioner last

[txab]

You're setup looks like this?

[RustyMartin43]

You're setup looks like this?

 

Yes, exactly.

[RustyMartin43]

put the belt over ac pulley and crank pulleyand tuck the belt in behind the tensioner pulley. use ratchet to pull down on the tensioner and lift belt up onto tensioner pulley. this is the way i do it at work as the directions from gm for this operation suck. you have to put the belt on the tensioner last

 

I will try that this morning. Thanks for the tip. I'll let you know if it worked for me.

 

IT WORKED!!

 

WAWA, you are a gem! For 2 days I've been trying it the way the instructions said (definition of insanity??!!??) and in 5 minutes with your help it is done! Thank you so much!