How to Install a 1997 Grand Am Serpentine Belt

The serpentine belt in a 1997 Grand Am drives the alternator, air conditioning, power steering, crankshaft and most importantly, the water pump. Replacing the belt can be done without raising the motor mount. Without a serpentine belt, the car is left to run off of the battery and will cause all of the parts it holds together to no longer work.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Check to make sure the belt you have purchased is the right length for the engine and other accessories it has to hold together under the hood.

2. Remove the old serpentine belt. The engine will either have an idler pulley or a tensioner. If it is an idler pulley, pull up the serpentine belt at the top of the engine. Keep the pulley from going back down by holding it up and sliding off the belt. If there is a tensioner, turn it counter clockwise.

3. Refer to the owner's manual to determine the way the serpentine belt needs to be routed.

4. Loosen the belt's tension by picking up the idler pulley to place the serpentine belt back into place. If the Grand Am has an idler pulley, it will automatically recalculate the tension. If the Grand Am has a tensioner, the belt should be tightened until only a 1/4-inch give exists between the pulleys.

5. Tighten any screws that were untightened to remove the old serpentine belt.

Tips & Warnings

• If no owner's manual is available, purchase an auto repair book at the auto parts store.
• Read all directions before attempting to replace the belt.
• If you are unsure what you are doing is correct, have a professional replace the belt.
• If may be helpful to lift the alternator to one side when removing and replacing the serpentine belt.
• Stop the car engine, and let it cool before replacing the serpentine belt.