Belt question

[Ryan1]

how often should you change your belt, Ive had this explorer for 5 years now and have never replaced the belt. and its starting to squeek, especially when its damp outside

Ryan

 

[DeRocha]

Every 40K Miles...

I replace mine every 40K miles. The first time I replace mine it was a juggling act. I had a wrench on the automatic tensioner to relieve the tension as I used my other hand to try and remove the belt. It wasn't until my next belt change that I discovered the automatic tensioner has a lock on it. It is right behind the tensioner. All you do is pull back on the tensioner w/ your wrech and engage the clip and slowly release the wrench tension.

 

[X~FACTOR]

You had it for 5 years but the previous owner may have never changed it. So you are looking at 9-10 year old belt there. If it shows cracking on the ribs then its time to change. I have a '97 and I changed mine at 50K miles. Ford recommends 60K.

 

[Opera House]

A lot of second gen owners

are finding that the belt tensioner assembly flys apart when they try changing the belt. Mine did. The later version is a pretty cheap assembly. Always spin the idler pulleys when the belt is off. If they make noise, it is time to replace.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Heh...I changed the first belt at 97k miles. The reason was because I was advised to at the tire shop. They wanted $100 for a little belt and installation so I said "no thanks" and went to the dealer for a belt. $40 and about 15 minutes of my time and voila!

 

[Crankcase]

Re: Every 40K Miles...

Originally posted by DEROCHA
I replace mine every 40K miles. The first time I replace mine it was a juggling act. I had a wrench on the automatic tensioner to relieve the tension as I used my other hand to try and remove the belt. It wasn't until my next belt change that I discovered the automatic tensioner has a lock on it. It is right behind the tensioner. All you do is pull back on the tensioner w/ your wrech and engage the clip and slowly release the wrench tension.

What? I wish I knew that when putting the belt on my dads 94...

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by '96explorereddiebauer
went to the dealer for a belt. $40 and about 15 minutes of my time and voila!

It cost me $21.99 at Autozone and installed it myself in less than 10 minutes. It gave me quite a fight, I pulled like hell and got it.

 

[DeRocha]

Locking the tensioner

You still need a long handle wrench or cheater bar to relieve the tension, but then you engage the locking clip and the tension is zero. You then use both hand to remove the belt and put on the new one. You then put the wrench back on and pull a little more and the lock pops back in.

Using a long 2'+ wrench is recommended because You will only have one hand on it while using the other hand to engage the locking clip.