Dracos

I've seen a few threads talking about this, but I want to be sure I'm doing it right. I recently changed out my alternator, and decided to do the belt as well. It was loose enough to pull it free with my hands without any real effort, so I'm pretty sure THAT was a bad sign, and a good thing I chose to change it.

I got the alternator on without problems (you've never SEEN a more beat up thing; I felt sorry for it!) and put in the new belt... but then ran across a problem. I don't remember how to adjust the wheels so that I can properly get the belt completely on. Unlike the old one, this one doesn't come near fitting without some adjustment.

I drive a 1988 Cherokee 6 cyl 4.0 with A/C. I read there is some adjustment you can do with the power steering to loosen or tighten the belt, but I don't know what I'm looking for here... if anyone can tell me or offer pictures, I'd be appreciative.

MoZee

On my 99 you have to loosen the idler pully and then turn a long bolt that goes through th top of its mounting bracket to tighten/loosen the belt. Hope this helps

blue_on_blackXJ

I don't think there is an idler tensioner on renix era motors. On my 91 it was tensioned using the power steering pump. there were a few bolts you loosened and then one long one you tightened in order to tighten the belt. That is the one you need to loosen to get the belt on, assuming its the same on renix, which I think it is. It points perpendicular to the block, at an angle if memory serves me right.

Dracos

Well...

Thanks for the advice, but I kinda just said "**** it" and went in with my tools. ^^;

I loosened up the power steering thing (took me SIX bolts), then cranked the unit down and got the belt on. I think I got it re-tensioned right as well, as it's not squealing or grinding that I can tell. Thanks for the ideas though!

blue_on_blackXJ

Ha yeah I remember there were way more bolts than should be necessary.

yamichi

Been scouring around as my GF's jeep squeals like a pig when the AC kicks in and found a BUNCH of threads saying "Tighten the belt" and nobody saying what they did.
Found this and thought it may help. I'm gonna go try it right now and see if it does the trick:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/b...stment-934528/

FYI- That's a darn good writeup People could take a lesson.

OK- took me about seven minutes. Most of which was moving the baby out of the garage and the jeep into it and realizing that on her jeep, the tensioner uses 15mm bolts, not 13mm.

M4RK

Well this isn't very helpful at all.

yamichi

Really? The photos of what to do, the link to an article with step by step instructions on how to adjust it?

How much help would you like?

kidkodiak

x2 on the adjustment being on the power steering pump. Just loosen until you can fit the belt on, then tighten it back up until it's good and snug. You might need to retighten a bit later if the belt stretches at all.