Needing a new alt belt on the 85GSL, which has 4 belts, was ponderous looking, so I looked at it for 5 minutes, figured out the topology, and came up with this method which got me thru the change in 15 minutes:

Changing the alternator belt:
5/18/03

•3 sockets: 10, 12, 14 mm
•3 ratchets
•3", 6", 12" extensions
•start at driver side
•with 14mm loosen A/C adjstr
•slip A/C belt off A/C pulley
•with 10mm loosen P/S adjstr
•slip P/S belt off P/S pulley
•move to passenger side
•with 12mm loosen air pump
•slip AP belt off AP pulley
•with 12/14mm loosen altrntr
•all belts should still be around mainshaft pullëys
•slip alt belt over AP, P/S and A/C belts in turn, leaving those 3 around mainshaft pulleys. Or just cut the alt belt.
•work old alt belt out over fan blades one at a time.
•work new alt belt in over fan blades one at a time.
•slip new alt belt over A/C, P/S and AP belts in turn, leaving all 4 around mainshaft pulleys.
•slip each belt onto appropriate accessory pulley
•tighten everything up. Use just a firm pull to tension each belt. A lever will overtension and result in broken belt and maybe ruined bearing/bushing.
•go over all nuts, bolts and adjusters to make sure everything is fastened.
•inventory your tools to make sure you didn't leave any under the hood. Should have 10,12,14 mm sockets, etc.

B

 

Even easier is to ditch the air conditioning, power steering and smog pump.. takes even less time that way...

--Danny

 

I'd say 10mins max.. even with getting your wrench out..