Serpentine belt replacement

1996 BUICK RIVIERA
60,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DAVE751
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I need to replace the belts on my supercharged V-6 Buick Riviera. The factory shop manual details how to disconnect the engine mounts and lift/lower the engine, which I can do. However, when it comes to replacing the belts, it simply says remove and replace! Now, I realize there are tensioners used to maintain belt tension. My question is, how do I release the tension supplied by these tensioners? My "common sense" says to use a socket/breaker bar to move the tensioner in the proper direction, but unless the threads on the pully bolt are "backwards", I worry than I'll just loosen the pully, and nothing more. Please advise me on the proper way to do this.
Oct 13, 2008 at 10:44 AM
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SQM
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Hello,

In order to release the tension on the belt you will have to use a appropriate size socket with a bar and apply clockwise pressure, this will release the tension and will allow you to remove the belt.
To install the belt simply reverse the process.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-tensioner-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know of any questions.

Thank you.
Aug 23, 2021 at 12:44 PM