I'm in the process of replacing my belts. I got the front one off with no problem. I'm still having trouble with the belt for the alternator/air pump. The old one is off (I cut it), but I can't get the new one on. Here's what I've done...
1. Removed 2 bolts for the alternator.
2. Removed the bolt on the mounting bracket for the airpump. Loosened the bolt at the pivot point (couldn't totally remove it).
3. I pushed down/rotated both the airpump and alternator as far as they'll go. But I still don't have enough slack to get the belt on.

Am I missing something? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

 

I recently had this problem and discovered that there are two pivots. One on the air pump and one on the alternator.

 

I changed mine 2 weeks ago.
make sure your clamps on the crossover pipe to the y pipe is not blocking the airpump's way. I had these worm clamps that I replaced. After I turn it around there were room for the air pump to move just a little. make sure all your bolts are in before you put the belts on just don't tighten them down too much.
It was pretty tight fit for me. Like it wouldn't fit.
So I loop the belt over the alternator then loop half of the belt over the air pump. then slowly turn the air pump to get the belt over. Like changing a chain on a bike. One hand pulling on the belt and guiding it in the groove and turning the airpump at the same time.
Hope this helps

 

The way I always did it, before ditching the airpump, was putting the belt on the alternator and airpump pullies first, and then sliding it onto the waterpump pulley.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.
I do have both the airpump and the alternator pivoting. They are pivoted as far as they will go and I'm pretty sure there isn't any clamps in the way.
So is it supposed to be a tight fit then? The other belt was pretty easy to get on. I figured they would be the same. I'll try your methods and see if that works for me.
BTW, how much can a belt get stretched over time? My old alternator/air pump belt was about 1cm longer than the new one. I'm wondering if the new one was too short.

 

I had problems with that too. Alternator belt was easy, air pump belt wasn't. Getting to the pivot point under the air pump wasn't fun, but it afforded me JUST BARELY enough slack to get the belt on. If you have the alternator and the air pump pivoted and the belt still won't go on, then make sure you have the right belt.

How old was the old belt? 1 cm sounds like it could be too much.

Good luck.

 

Good news, I got the belt on.
Bad news is I can't get the pivot bolts back in for the airpump and alternator. Should I have done that first? Can they only go in when the airpump and alternator are pivoted at a certain angle?

 

I'm trying to remember, but I am pretty sure that I didn't take the pivot bolts out all the way. This was a year ago and is quite hazy though.

I don't really recall how the go in actually and if the airpump and alt had to be in certain positions. Sorry.

Keep playing with it. Maybe just try pulling the belt off again and see if you move the airpump and alt to get the bolts started, then squeeze the belt back on and set the tension?

 

You should have the pivot bolts already in place and even the brackets bolts in and loose. If you have the belt on the crank pulley, the alternator pulley and air pump pulley then it should be a snug slide over the water pump pulley, any other way and you run the risk of damaging he belt. It's tight but will slide over the water pump pulley. Don't over tighten the air pump or alternator or you will damage the water pump bearing and pulley shaft (premature failure) of the water pump.

 

OK, both belts are now on, but I've got more problems. I started up the car and everything seemed fine. Until I noticed smoke coming from the belts. What could cause this? Too tight?

I then loosened the airpump/alt belt a bit and tried again. This time there was a horrible screeching noise coming from the belts. That usual indicates that the belt is too loose, correct?

 

a LITTLE smoke and noise from the belts is expected... my made a burning smell for about 20 min.... just take it easy on them, and if it persists, then you might have issues

 

mine doesnt smoke and no more noise after replacement