How to Replace the Belt on a GMC Safari Van

The front engine accessories on the GMC Safari Van--such as the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioner pump and the water pump--are operated by a single serpentine belt. The belt is designed in a circular shape to fit around all of the accessory pulleys at once. This makes it possible for the belt to operate all of the accessories from the same belt when the engine is running. If the belt has any excessive fraying or other damage, change it out before it breaks.

• 1

  Open the hood and secure it so that it won't fall. Then, locate the routing diagram for the belt on top of the fan shroud. The new belt has to be routed around the accessories exactly as described in this diagram.

• 2

  Locate the belt tensioner below the alternator. The tensioner can be turned from the bolt that connects the pulley to the bottom of the tensioner.

• 3

  Position the socket and breaker bar onto the bolt of the tensioner pulley. Turn the breaker bar counter clockwise until the belt is loose.

• 4

  Pull the belt off of the tensioner pulley and release the breaker bar. Then, pull the belt out of the engine bay and match it to the new belt. Make sure that the new belt is the proper size compared to the old belt.

• 5

  Slide the new belt around the crankshaft on the bottom of the engine. Then, route the belt around the remaining accessory pulleys by following the exact routing directions on the belt routing diagram.

• 6

  Turn the tensioner counter clockwise from the pulley bolt with the breaker bar and socket. Then, slide the belt around the tensioner pulley and release the breaker bar. While the tensioner pulley is retracting against the belt, it will pull all of the slack out of the belt and make the belt tight.

• 7

  Inspect the belt to make sure it is inside and around each pulley. Then, crank the GMC Safari Van for 10 seconds so that the turning of the pulleys can finish seating the new belt to the inside of each pulley.

• 8

  Turn the engine off and shut the hood.