Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

serpentine belt wont go on zj 5.2 v8

2K views 19 replies 7 participants last post by  webhostingdesig 
#1 ·
I just replaced the power steering bracket and now the serpentine belt wont go on like it did easily before. Now I'm looking for things that can be adjusted because the automatic belt tensioner wont move far enough to the right let the belt on.

Is there something that can be adjusted like a pulley or the alternator or AC?
 
#7 ·
I got a new one but I just checked and its the same length as the old belt. I'm kind of tired now so will revisit it a little later.

One thing I can think of is if its possible to bolt the bracket into the engine block upside down or sideways or is this pretty much impossible?
 
#6 ·
Same belt length as the old belt, but we couldn't get it to go on after we replaced the power steering pump mounting bracket and pulley. The pulley is the same width as the old pulley. The only thing that is different is that the power steering pump isn't at an angle anymore so its 1/2" to 1" long path of travel now.

I'll try it again later tonight or tomorrow.

I just want to make sure that there isn't anything else I can adjust because the belt went on so easy before we changed the mounting bracket. Is it possible that I put the power steering mounting bracket on upside down and therefore changed something?
 
#11 ·
Your info says you have a V8 4. Something.....? Which is it? If a V8, then check to make sure the tensioner is in the correct position. I believe they have to be lined up right, iirc. And like said you can put the mounting bracket on wrong.

If a "4.something"......then, get a V8!
 
#12 ·
The problem I had when I did new PS pump and pulley was with the new aftermarket pulley. It would not seat all the way on the pump, causing an alignment issue. If this is your issue, you may need to find a different brand pump, or hit a junk yard for an oem pulley.
 
#17 ·
It won't go over far enough. Or maybe I just don't know the limit of how far ... to the right hand direction the tensioner pulley can move?

So how far can the tensioner go before I risk breaking it off? I'm pretty sure I've hit the limit and the belt will not fit. (look at the picture you can see there is only about 3" of space left for the whole tensioner to fit inside the belt. The tensioner would have to actually touch the alternator it seems.

Or should I just force the tensioner over to the right more?

 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top