Why Replacing a V-ribbed Belt on Vehicles with Limited Ground Clearance Can Be a Difficult Task

V-ribbed belt replacement is a service that may involve performing some complex maneuvers on the engine, especially on vehicles with limited ride height.

Passenger cars and small SUVs with front and all wheel drive will have clearance issues when it comes to replacing the V-ribbed belt.

A ribbed belt, also known as a multi-ribbed, multi-ribbed, or multi-ribbed belt, is a single, continuous belt used to drive multiple devices in an automobile engine, such as an alternator, power steering pump, or water pump. .

Poly V-belt replacement may vary depending on wear conditions. It may just be old and weather cracked, or it could be that the belt tensioner or pulley has failed causing the belt to stretch and glaze.

For most front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles, the V-ribbed belt is usually difficult to replace in many ways. In most cases, a standard ratchet cannot fit between the belt tensioner and the fender or even the web. It would seem that you have to remove the inner fender to access the belt tensioner, but removing the inner fender can be tedious and time consuming. Therefore, a tool was created only to move the belt tensioners to remove the V-ribbed belt.

Some front wheel drive vehicles have top engine mounts which are commonly known as dog bones. These engine mounts are mounted either from the top of the engine to the front of the vehicle or to the sides of the vehicle. When the engine mount goes from the top of the engine to the inner fender, it tends to get in the way of removing the V-ribbed belt.

If it is necessary to remove the motor mount from the top of the motor, the motor must be secured against rocking to prevent damage to other parts and to facilitate reassembly of the motor mount.

Some vehicles must be lifted off the ground to access the belt tensioner. Also, for some vehicles, when it is necessary to climb from below through the engine compartment, there may be an engine guard that must be removed before gaining access to the V-ribbed belt.

When removing the V-ribbed belt, it can be difficult to remove the belt from some pulleys and very difficult when putting on a new belt. It is best to follow the diagram on the vehicle sticker located on the hood or hood mount. If the vehicle does not have a diagram decal, an alternative way to see how the serpentine belt is routed is to view the diagram from the owner's manual.

After laying the serpentine belt, it's best to hold it up and have a top pulley to tie it down. While holding the belt, use the belt tension tool to loosen the tensioner so that the belt can easily slide over the last top pulley. When the belt tensioner is released, the V-ribbed belt must be properly aligned.