[jel21]

This is the first time I have changed the serpentine belt on this vehicle. It was all cracked and obviously needed it. I went to the store and bought a 91" belt, which is what should fit a 4cyl with AC and power steering. After taking the old belt off, I loosened the tension pulley as far as it would go. We then tried to get the new belt on, but it just wouldn't go. The routing was right and it should have gone on. So, then we compared the new belt to the old one and the new belt was at least and inch or more shorter. Well this didn't make too much sense, but I took the belt back and got a 91.5" belt. This belt was still shorter than the old belt, but we were able to squeeze it on. I tightened the tension pulley back up and it seems ok. The only thing I can think of is that the previous owner changed one of the pulleys and put a bigger one on. Has anyone heard of anything like this before?

[Stu Olson]

Anything is possible....including the parts store having the wrong belt listed for your vehicle. They routinely have the wrong rotors listed for TJs....why not a belt?

[Spiderman]

You didn't happen to get the belt from AutoZone did you?? I had an experience with the people from "Twilight Zone" as I now call them, with my serp belt once. They gave me the wrong belt, then when I went back to exchange it, he said they didn't have my vehicle listed so he handed me one, not for my vehicle, and said "this should work, it's not the right one, but you should be OK". I kindly got my money back and went to Checker Auto, for the RIGHT belt.

[Im Rebel]

I miss the days when part stores actually had people that new what they were talking about. they used catalogs, not computers and most of them really new about cars.

Speaking out loud,

Reb

[otisdog]

When I had my 95 YJ both Checker and Autozone had a listing for the same belt that was WAY too short. There was no arguing with either... they were right. Well they showed me their diagram to try to prove themselves and guess what? I looked at it and handed it back to the guy and asked him if he saw anything missing... NO he says. The diagram did not have the pulley for the waterpump on there!! They just blew it off. I had them measure my belt and give one one that size which worked perfect. I kept the part # and got that belt when I needed one.
Neither of those places would believe that they were wrong when it was totally obvious. i pointed out that my Jeep had a waterpump and the belt had to go around it. I pointed out that their diagram did not have that and the belt they had listed for mt Jeep was several inches too short.
Jim

[jel21]

I got the belt at Advance Auto Parts. Like I said, everything I have read says 91" belt, but it is just too short. When I exchanged for the 91.5 it was $10 more. The assistant manager was helping me, called bull-=-=-=-=, and did an even exchange. That was nice of him. As long as the belt is tight, I don't see any problems.

It just sucks when something easy tuns into a pita. We spent most of yesterday replacing my buddy's alternator and power steering pump. I helped him blow his alternator Friday driving through the mud in Wellsville. Changing the parts went just fine, which was a surprise since we always bust at least one of his rusted bolts. You should have seen everything that broke when we put on his lift. Then I turn around to do some easy maint and it gives us the most problems. At least it is all together now.