I would like to know how to change the belt on 2004.5 I usually carry a spare in my vehicles so I cralled underneath and took a look at the belt tensioner and I looks like I would use a 1/2" breaker bar and slide the belt off the water pump pulley. What I dont understand is how can you slide the belt off the idler. To me it doesnt look like their is enough room between the pulley and the engine block. Has any one changed one before and how is it done?

 

It's a good idea to carry a spare in these; as some of us had new belts shred. Is this happening to you, or have you read our threads, and are being cautious?

I carry a spare too, but for the life of me, also cannot figure out how to change. One other person posted once that it was a royal PITA, but it can be done. Maybe one of the techs on here can chime in.

 

Thanks for getting back to me and yes I have been following your threads. This site is great. I only have 2600 miles on my truck and from reading the threads I just want to make sure I can change it if the time comes. I did speak to a mechanic at a Dodge dealership and he told me to use a 1/2" breaker bar with a long handle on it and to go down from the top and turn the bar clockwise and then slip the belt off from the water pump on the top and then to go underneath and slip the belt off between the pulley and the block. I looked at this very closely and their is no way a person is going to do that because their is not enough room.The only way I see for it to work is to take the whole idler assembly off. I hope like you said we get a tech in on this.

 

Well, I did mine to install my Jake. It was somewhat of a pain, but not as bad as it looks.

If I recall correctly, I found it easier to slip off one of the other pullies, maybe the alternator.

Anyway, you do not have to unbolt the tensioner.

 

Thanks Jeff, as long as a guy doesnt have to take the tensioner off it then shouldnt be to bad, just have to have to do a lot of bending on the belt to get it out between the pulley and the block, thanks again this site is great.