How to Replace the Serpentine Belt With a Jacking Screw

A jacking screw style tensioner (also known as a jackscrew) can sometimes be used with the standard pulley tensioner when replacing the serpentine belt on a car. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, the only real way to know if this is a part of your serpentine belt mechanism is to look under the hood or to consult the manual.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Remove the old belt by first loosening the tensioner pulley. To do this, unscrew the bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley.

2. Turn the jacking screw. It will look like a diamond with a long screw through the middle, and can be located near the power steering pump angled towards the loosened tensioner pulley. Keep turning the belt until it is slack enough to remove it. Remove the old belt. If there are strips missing, check to make sure that no pieces of the old belt are still wrapped around the pulleys.

3. Wind the new belt around the proper pulleys according to either the diagram provided in your owners manual, or to one procured that applies specifically to your vehicle.

4. Make sure the serpentine belt is flat and properly aligned and that the belt is wound onto the pulleys without hanging off the side or becoming twisted.

5. Screw the jacking screw back into place using a hand tool, not an air tool. This will make sure that the jacking screw is tightened as it should be without causing any unnecessary damage to your brand new serpentine belt.

6. Tighten the bolt on the center of the tensioner pulley once the jacking screw is properly tightened.