Posted: 5/7/2008 1:58:06 PM EDT
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Ok I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L with 4WD. I was changing the oil today and figured I'd finally install the new serpentine belt I've had for a few months. Only problem is my Chilton's manual seems pretty useless. I can't for the life of me figure out WTF it wants me to do. Can anyone give me a quick step by step process on how to get the damn belt off? once that happens I should (hopefully) get the new one on by myself. |
I guess I should have mentioned my Jeep does not have an auto tensioner. |
I thought they all had auto tensioners. At any rate, look on the diagram for the tension idler. That's what you want to use to relax the belt tension. Then, it's wax-off, wax-on. |
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I don't think any Cherokee with a 4.0 has a spring loaded tensioner. I own a 1999 4.0 4WD and have owned other XJ's.I'll try to make a simple explanation. The tension is done manually and the pulley is located to the lower left of the power steering pump.You have to loosen the bolt on the front of the pulley/the one that run through the center of the pulley(15mm If I remember correctly)BEFORE you turn the long tension adjustment bolt.Once you loosen the bolt on the pulley itself the tension bolt should turn very easily. Release the tension on the belt.Take the belt out.Put the new belt in(obviously routed correctly  )Adjust the tension bolt until the belt has the correct amount of deflection then tighten the bolt on the pulley itself.Use a gatorback belt.Money well spent.Hope this helps. |
This looks like it should work, quick question though how do I know when it has the correct amount of deflection? |
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There are a few different ways of doing that.I have done it a few times so I always do it off of feel. Basically you want it fairly tight but not real tight.Grab the belt with your thumb and index finger and try to "twist" it side to side.You want it tight enough that it won't rotate very much but not so tight that it won't budge. If your uncomfortable with it they sell plastic deflection guages at the auto parts places for under $20.You should be able to find the correct amount of deflection on the net and use one of those guages if you wanted to go that route. |
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The belt tension is adjusted at the power steering pump bracket and idler pulley assembly. First, you need to loosen the upper and lower alternator bolts. Next, you'll need to loosen the the bolt on the idler pulley itself. Also, looking at it from the front of the engine, there is an adjustment bolt above the idler pulley and bottom left of the power steering pump pulley. Turn that until the belt loosens up, and slip that bugger off. Make DAMN sure you know exactly how the belt routes before you take it off...  When installing a new one (correctly), the belt tension should be 180-200lbs. If you don't have a tensioning gauge, you should get one.  Tighten up the adjustment bolt (above idler pulley, and bottom left of power steering pump pulley) until the belt is at the right tension. Then tighten up the idler pulley, and the upper and lower alternator bolts.I get to do one this weekend.
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Why are you loosening the alternator bolts?Everything else you said is as I described. |
Seems to me like you'd have to. Will it slip off without moving the alternator a bit (i.e., just by loosening the idler bolt and tensioning bolt)? If so, too cool. Less work. |
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There is no reason at all to loosen the alternator.That is why I was curious.That long tension adjustment bolt has WAY more than enough movement to take the belt off. It is a really simple job.Just 2 bolts.The one on/run through the idler pulley and the tensioner bolt itself.The one on the idler pulley is a slight PITA to get to because of the A/C fan but not that big of a deal. |
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OK A couple things. 1) I can't seem to loosen the bolt on the front of the idler pulley. I can just barely a box wrench on it but there isn't enough room for me to get a good grip and apply any amount of power. 2) the long tension adjustment bolt looks mighty fucked up. It looks like it got bent and instead of going straight through a nice little hold on the bottom end, it bends and rubs up against another piece of metal (can't really describe it). I don't think I will even be able to get it out to try and replace it. I can try to take a pic if you guys want, but I think I might need to source a new bolt ASAP. |
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My 97 has a jack screw behind a bulley and a lock that hold it in place from the back. LIf you have that system, loosen the nut holding the block (that the pulley is attached to in front) and then turn the jack screw from the top. One direction brings the pulley up, one brings it down. Install is reversal. Dan |
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That idler pulley bolt is a bit of a PITA.I used an open end wrench and just worked on it until it was loose enough that I could turn the tensioner bolt.The open end seemed to work OK because you are coming at it from an odd angle. Sounds like(If I am visualizing this correctly)that someone probably tried to replace this before on your Jeep.I have seen where people will tighten that tension bolt with it misaligned and instead of it going on the hole,like it is suppose to,it runs into the bottom of the housing.If the keep tightening it the bolt will bend and get all screwed up. |
This is exactly what happened I think... Which is really bad because it looks so bent / screwed up that it wont be adjustable any more. I will see if I can't unfuck it till I can get a new bolt.. I driving off a dirt road for a shoot tomorrow and need my Jeep working today. 
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I'm on hold with the local dealer's Parts line. I am just unsure if will be able to loosen that bolt that runs thru the pulley. Like I said it is rounding off.  ETA: They have the adjuster bolt for $19  and can order the pulley bolt for $7.
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I think the guy who last worked on that Jeep of yours needs to be slapped.However,he is probably 7ft tall and weighs 400 pounds considering he bent that tensioner bolt and put the death grip on the idler bolt.  You don't want to round it off.You can get a socket on it if you have a socket wrench with a flex head. |
Well I got it used in '03 and haven't done anything with the belt. I'm kind of giving up for now, it's almost 5, and I need my Jeep working tomorrow, so I'm going to take it around the block a couple times to make sure it runs ok, then work on it later when I have time and parts. I'm too afraid of rounding off that bolt, especially when it's a special order part. |