How to Replace the Serpentine Belt on a 1997 Jeep Wrangler

Once the serpentine belt on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler has been removed, check all pulleys for built-up dirt or oil. The pulleys should be cleaned. If any one of the pulleys grinds or has a lot of resistance when you spin it by hand, replace it. A pulley that fails could destroy the serpentine belt. A serpentine belt runs all the pulleys, which means that you will not have power steering or air conditioning, and the alternator will not charge the battery. The serpentine belt also turns the water pump. This means that should it break, the Jeep could overheat if you do not shut it off right away.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2-inch ratchet
• Set of sockets

Instructions

1. Check for the belt routing diagram. It is usually located on the fan shroud or the underside of the hood. If you do not see the belt routing diagram, sketch a diagram of the belt routing before you remove the belt.

2. Push the tensioner toward the engine using the appropriate tool. If the tensioner has a square hole, insert the square end of the ratchet into the hole to push the tensioner toward the engine. If the tensioner has a bolt, use the appropriate socket on the bolt to push the tensioner toward the engine.

3. Lift the belt off the pulleys. Allow the tensioner to fall back into place, but do not let it snap into place, as you could destroy the tensioner. Check the pulleys for dirt and oil buildup. Clean as necessary. Check the pulleys to make sure they are working properly -- if not, replace as necessary.

4. Route the belt around the pulleys, starting on the crankshaft pulley. Leave the tensioner for last. Make sure the belt is properly seated on all the pulleys. Using the appropriate tool, push the tensioner toward the engine while holding the belt around the pulleys. Slide the belt over the tensioner. Release the tensioner gently. Check that the belt is properly seated on all the pulleys.

5. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature. Turn the engine off. Recheck the belt and pulleys. Check the arrow on the tensioner to make sure it is within the proper adjustment range as marked on the tensioner.

References

• Auto Zone: Repair Manual for 1997 Jeep Cherokee -- Serpentine Belt Replacement