I'm just doing some good ol' maintenance on the car. Trying to change the alt & PS belts. The new alt belt going on is being a real pain. I only loosened the alt to release the tension. Now I can't get the new belt on.

I have a 30in, 5 rib, which Pep Boys told me is the right size. But no matter how hard I push and pry, it isn't going on.

What am I missing? Is there something else that needs to be loosened. I can't see where the air pump can be loosened.

Any and help will be greatly appreciated so I can get it running. Thanks in advance.

 

Look at the bottom left side of the air pump, it is connected to a bracket that swivels. You need to loosen this bolt and then push it down.

 

Ditto on spoolage's rec to loosen the air pump. I've also had belts that were pretty tough to put on even after loosening both. The best way I've found is to get the belt squarely over all the grooved pulleys and then slip it on over the water pump pulley which has a rounded lip.

EDIT: Oh also, the air pump pulley for MT and AT cars are different diameters. I swapped out my MT airpump with an AT air pump and found my belt was too long. Just in case, compare your old belt with the new one to make sure they're the same length.

 

Although you shouldn't have to, taking off the water pump pulley and putting it back on after the belt is over the alternator and air pump will make it easier.

 

Thanks for the help guys.
I'll try all of it until I get it on. I'll get back on it tomorrow.

 

i'm not running an air pump on mine, and even with the alternator lowered completely its hell getting the shorter belt on. i've pulled out the long bolt that actually holds the alternator on and cocked the alternator a bit to get the belt on. then finish up by putting the long bolt through again

 

To loosen the air pump, do I need to disconnect all the tubes to the intake box?
Just want to make sure before I do all that because I can't see anything that would allow the air pump to rotate. But I could just be blind, or need to remove everything to see it. Thanks again.

 

I took the I/C inlet hose off---this lets you get to the 2 fasteners on adjusting bracket.The top mounting bolt also needs to be loosened,but this is readily accessible.

 

Yes, the airbox needs to come out to loosen the airpump.