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Some additional info Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Thu, 27 Dec 2001 18:00:55
In Reply to: 88 9KT Serpentine belt replacement how? and www site?, julz, Thu, 27 Dec 2001 01:32:06 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Saab had two different serpentine belt setups, so if you do a search, it could get confusing. In 1988, the engine has two belts - one is an AC belt, the other is a serpentine belt with a MANUAL tension adjustment. Later cars had a single serpentine belt with an automatic adjuster, and that process is entirely different.
The best way to replace the belt is just what Yaofeng said - jack up and support the right front, remove the tire, remove the plastic fender inner liner (two pieces), and the belt will be right in front. If you have skinny arms, you can replace the belt from above without removing the fender inner-liner. I've done it.
First off, buy a new serpentine belt AND a new AC belt. The AC belt must be removed to get to the S-belt, so you might as well put on a new one. Next, press your thumb down on the top of the S-belt, between the two pulleys. Feel how taut it is. It should deflect only about 1/3 to 1/2 inch under 'moderate' pressure. Do the same with the AC belt. Next, grab a piece of paper and draw a picture of how the S belt goes around each pulley - also note which groove it goes in (the one near the engine or far away?) - do the same with the AC belt. Unless you've done a bunch of these, it won't make any sense when you go to put them back.
Now you're ready to work. I unbolt the coolant reservoir - there is a 10 mm bolt through it - undo the bolt, and move the reservoir to the side - no need to drain it. Next, remove the AC belt. There is an idler pulley under the compressor and towards the back of the car. It has two bolt heads - loosen the outside bolt (13 mm) a turn or so, just until the tension comes off the pulley. Now, remove the belt. Spin the idler pulley with your hand - does it spin nice and smooth, or does it feel like the bearing is full of gravel? If it feels like gravel, then it probably is - you need to replace the AC idler pulley, and that'll make the engine sound a lot better. You can buy a new pulley from a dealer, but I recommend mail order (see the folks that advertise below) - MUCH, MUCH cheaper.
Next, look at the S belt. There is an idler pulley about mid engine. This pulley has a bolt through the face of it (13mm, I think), with the bolt head near the fender liner. Loosen it about 3/4 turn or so. Coming forward and pointing about 60 degrees up is a long threaded rod with an adjusting nut on it (13mm? 10? can't remember). If you loosen that nut, the threaded rod will slide down, and the tension will come off the belt. If the pulley doesn't move, then you forgot to loosen the bolt through the axis of the pulley. Loosen the adjusting nut until you can get the S-belt off the pulley.
Now, pull the S-belt off, and spin the S-belt idler pulley to check its bearings. Slip the new belt on (see where that drawing you made will come in handy?) and over the tensioner. Tighten up the adjusting nut until the belt feels right (see above), then tighten the 13 mm through the face of the pulley. Yes, it can be tight getting the belt over the main pulley, but it can be done.
Slip on the AC belt (two grooves in the pulley - happy you made your picture now?) and over the idler pulley. To tension the belt, you slip a 17 mm wrench over the big nut on the pulley. Adjust to tightness. Holding the 17 mm in place, tighten the 13 mm nut on the face of the pulley to hold things in place. It only takes two hands, but it feels like three would be better.
Reinstall the coolant reservoir (don't overtighten the 10 mm, and yes it's a bitch getting the bolt back into the proper place).
Run the engine a little, then check the tension again. If it's off, retension. It should be a little tigher than you feel comfortable.
Get yourself the 9000 Haynes manual. It's not great, but it's good enough, especially for this task. I've not used the AllData info. Nothing beats a manual you can lay open next to the car.
Good luck!
posted by 12.79....
, Thu, 27 Dec 2001 18:00:55 <-- Viewing This Message
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