A dive belt is a part of engine within your vehicle. This means that it is essential to the normal operation of your car. It is possible for the drive belt to become worn over time and require replacement. The function of the drive belt within your car is to make sure that the battery is charged and that all components within your vehicle that need a charge also have the amount of power that they require. This means that the drive belt is vital, and it should be replaced at the first signs of failure or wearing. The most common warning sign that your drive belt needs to be replaced involves squealing when you first start your vehicle. Before you replace the drive belt, there are helpful tips that you need to be aware of to make the process simpler.
Location
The location of the drive belt is similar in most vehicles. It will normally be present on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Before you do anything to remove the drive belt once you have located it, you need to be aware of how the drive belt is installed. In most cases, there will be a label that is present next to the drive belt that will show the actual routing of the belt. If there is no label that is present, you will need to write down on a piece of paper how the belt is routed. You will need to have this information to ensure that you can reinstall the new driving belt using the same route as the one that you take out. If you take the old belt out without paying attention to the route, you won't know how to accurately reinstall in new drive belt.
Alternator
When you are removing the drive belt, you will need to move the alternator slightly. You might have to move the alternator forward or backward depending on the type and model of your car. Just move the alternator into the direction that loosens the drive belt. Many drive belts have a tension system, which means that you will have to use a wrench to remove the belt from the pulley that is designed to keep it secure.
Pulley
Once you have the right type of drive belt for your car and have removed the old belt, you just need to make sure that you mount the new belt around the pulleys. This is why you needed to pay attention to the original route. The new belt should follow the same route around the pulleys that the old belt did. Obtaining the right tension with the alternator will most likely require the use of a pry bar to lift the alternator until you have the desired level of tightness.
For more information, or if you'd rather leave this job to the pros, contact a local auto repair shop.
