Removing the drive belt

[ntrpriz]

How on earth do you remove the drive belt? I though alls you had to do was twist the tensioner and it would give way and the belt would be loose enough to pull off. My tensioner will NOT move. I destroyed a craftsman socket trying to get it to move. Am I missing something here? I tried counter clockwise (according to the manual) and then clockwise just in case the manual was wrong. My belt is OK, but I will need to change it here soon. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[FMNavajo]

ntrpriz,
The belt should come off by rotating the tensioner counter clockwise with a 5/8" socket and a long handle, (gets your hand out the fan).

Your tensioner could be frozen up. If you try again it's definetly "Counter Clockwise".

Good luck,
FM

 

[mike91]

If you are in the front of the vehicle looking down at the engine, you will nee to turn the tensioner counter-clockwise. I use the rachet with a two foot long pipe around the rachet handle. That way, I am able to apply more pressure without having to scrape the knuckles up badly.
The pipe definitely works wonders - don't try it just using the rachet b/c you'll frutstrate yourself easily. That tensioner is one B@!$% to move.