Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

Putting Belt Back On

July 19, 2012, 01:46:05 pm

Any tips to ease trying to get the large serpentine belt back on after the alternator installation?  Doesn't look like fun.

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Re: Putting Belt Back On

Reply #1 – July 19, 2012, 02:34:10 pm

Get the belt most of the way on (on other pulleys), then use your ratchet to move the automatic tensioner enough to get the belt on.  Then make sure that the belt is in the correct grooves on each pulley, both before you start the engine and then after it has run for a few minutes.

Though the serpentine belt is longer, there is enough adjustment that it is easier to do than the belt running the hydraulic pump.

Brett

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Re: Putting Belt Back On

Reply #2 – July 19, 2012, 02:58:25 pm

Last time, I had good luck easing the belt on the tensioner last - there is no lip along the edge of the pulley to overcome.  Make sure the belt is on the correct side of the ratchet or breaker bar.

Matt B

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Re: Putting Belt Back On

Reply #3 – July 19, 2012, 03:17:04 pm

"Make sure the belt is on the correct side of the ratchet or breaker bar." Absolutely! Tried it the other way, and it didn't work. Also it is helpful to grow an extra pair of hands. That way two hands can keep the bar at exactly the right place while the other two slip the belt on. Another pair of eyes also helps, as belts have been factory-trained to slip off a pulley in the spot farthest from you or the most inaccessible place.

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Re: Putting Belt Back On

Reply #4 – July 19, 2012, 03:49:35 pm

After watching a chap trying to install his belt, the only thought that came to mind was the old expression about Monkeys & Footballs 
Dave M

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Reply #5 – July 20, 2012, 11:47:04 pm

That was pretty much it though it is on.

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Re: Putting Belt Back On

Reply #6 – July 21, 2012, 10:27:16 am

Like everything else on our U225 engine (Cummins 5.9B), the tensioner is in a clumsy spot. For one thing you cannot see where the square hole for the breaker-bar is... you have to do it by braille laying on the side of the bed. Then you have to lever it upwards; which the least convenient direction.

We did it a couple of times on our last alternator installation; don't ask why.

It is much easier to have one person under the coach and one over the engine to make sure that the new serpentine is in the proper position on all the pulleys. No side radiator on the U225 (darn it).

Craig

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Re: Putting Belt Back On

Reply #7 – July 21, 2012, 01:54:38 pm

Yes, the 225 is much harder to work on.  The remainder of the "fleet" have side radiators, giving excellent engine access.

Brett

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