How to Repair a Serpentine Belt on a 2005 Chrysler Sebring for Free

The serpentine belt on a 2005 Chrysler Sebring uses a tensioner pulley to keep the belt tight. As the serpentine belt stretches out, the pulley applies more pressure to the belt. The amount of stretching is limited by the short traveling distance of the tensioner pulley. Once the pulley runs out of travel space, you must replace the belt. However, you can repair a stretched serpentine belt for free by pivoting the alternator upward.

• 1

  Loosen the alternator's through bolt, located on the top of the alternator, using a socket and ratchet. Also use the socket and ratchet to loosen the alternator's pivot bolt located on the bottom of the alternator. Both bolts secure the alternator to the alternator mounting bracket.

• 2

  Place a pry bar between the mounting bracket and bottom casing of the alternator.

• 3

  Push down on the pry bar. This pushes the alternator upward on the pivot bolt. As you do this, the belt becomes tighter. Push the alternator up approximately two inches. This will restore travel to the tensioner pulley.

• 4

  Tighten the through bolt and pivot bolt with the socket and ratchet while you apply downward pressure to the pry bar.