AU XR6 - Install fan belt - Ford Forums

Mr Cube · 03-09-2004, 15:13

I was driving the other day hit the intersection went to turn hard a grind noise and all of a sudden couldn't turn it was like I was driving a truck.

Since discovered it was the fan/drive belt coming off. Now putting it back on it a little tricky. Do I need to take the front end off to do it, Looking at the Gregorys manual I know which way the belt follows through the pulleys but I get to the last pulley and the tensioner is too tight.

How do go about loosening the tensioner to put a new belt on? Just on hold to service dept, but just wanted to get some more advice on it.

Cheers,

JC-XR8 · 03-09-2004, 15:55

Usually if you loosen the alternator, it will allow you enough slack to put the belt on (but I haven't tried one of these huge serpentine belts before). Just make sure you son't over-tighten it (or it will snap).

RaceCraft · 03-09-2004, 16:22

THere is a square keyway in the centre of the tensioner for a 3/8th drive socket head.. Put the rachet in there in the tighten position and when you pull on it the tensioner will swivel to allow some more slack

A tip is when you have the belt off spin both the idler bearings and power steering pulley to make sure they are not binding up causing the belt to slip or in your case throw itself off..They should be freely and not feel 'glitchy'.. The idler arm is held on with 3*10mm bolts(might be 4 can't remember exactly)and you can change the pulleys from the back once you have the tensioner off the car

AU1XR8 · 03-09-2004, 17:16

Just a tip also, your owners manual will tell you not to accelerate with the wheel at full lock - I presume for this reason.

At least my XR8 manual says dont do it

PS Not tryin to be a smart a*s just think that might be why it popped the belt off

Mr Cube · 03-09-2004, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU1XR8

Just a tip also, your owners manual will tell you not to accelerate with the wheel at full lock - I presume for this reason.

At least my XR8 manual says dont do it

PS Not tryin to be a smart a*s just think that might be why it popped the belt off

That just proves to read the owners manual!!, But I wasn't at full lock but was approaching the intersection pretty fast and went to turn.. Prolly is what caused it though...