Can't get serpentine belt on

[Papa_Lugnut]

Pictures please.

AC or no?

I have zero issues getting my belt on and off my 97.

-Mac

No AC, and I put the tensioner pulley back on. I figured I wouldn't be able to get it in place afterwards. But this is about as far as I can get it. I've tried multiple different locations. I'm getting desperate and might try to remove the fan shroud tomorrow to give me more leverage to pull on it. Granted that kind of thing is exactly what tore the other one...

 

[Papa_Lugnut]

No AC, and I put the tensioner pulley back on. I figured I wouldn't be able to get it in place afterwards. But this is about as far as I can get it. I've tried multiple different locations. I'm getting desperate and might try to remove the fan shroud tomorrow to give me more leverage to pull on it. Granted that kind of thing is exactly what tore the other one...

View attachment 617921

 

[macleanflood]

And you're loosening the tensioner pulley bolt between the thermostat and power steering pump to move the tensioner pulley to the loose position?

-Mac

 

[Papa_Lugnut]

And you're loosening the tensioner pulley bolt between the thermostat and power steering pump to move the tensioner pulley to the loose position?

-Mac

Yessir, that and the bolt that holds the tensioner pulley itself on, which is how I ended up removing it completely. I was wondering if someone at some point (I've only had this Jeep for about 3.5 months) replaced the water pump pulley with something larger? Would explain why things are ridiculously tight. But I also don't have any evidence of that. I took a pair of digital calipers out and got a diameter of 5.4" for the large section the belt is supposed to sit on. However, I haven't been able to confirm what the diameter of that roller is supposed to be.

It's just frustrating. This is the last bit I have to do before I can flush the system and get it driving again and at this point I've spent more time trying to just get the belt on than it took me to assemble all the pieces to and install the water pump...

 

[KennethS]

Just curious as to how you came into possession of the belt you are attempting to install - was it the same part number as the one you took off, a cross-referenced number to that original belt, or something looked up by a parts house? Wondering if the belt you presently have is really the correct one for the application.

 

[Papa_Lugnut]

Just curious as to how you came into possession of the belt you are attempting to install - was it the same part number as the one you took off, a cross-referenced number to that original belt, or something looked up by a parts house? Wondering if the belt you presently have is really the correct one for the application.

The current one, I looked up on AutoZone's site after putting in my vehicle info and was told it matched. Went to the store with the part number, then when I checked out they confirmed it fit. The CarQuest one I asked the folks behind the counter if they had any in stock for a 97 wrangler 4cyl and they checked their inventory and brought me back what matched. Neither of them want to go on (original didn't want to either tbh), both are the same size as what was already there as well.

 

[KennethS]

I like to look up part numbers on Rock Auto as they have many manufacturers part numbers. For a 2.5 I see listings for no AC and no Power Steering, and listings for no AC and power steering. Is it possible you got a belt for no AC / no power steering instead of one for no AC with power steering?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jeep,1997,wrangler,2.5l+l4,1185296,belt+drive,belt,8900

 

[Papa_Lugnut]

I like to look up part numbers on Rock Auto as they have many manufacturers part numbers. For a 2.5 I see listings for no AC and no Power Steering, and listings for no AC and power steering. Is it possible you got a belt for no AC / no power steering instead of one for no AC with power steering?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jeep,1997,wrangler,2.5l+l4,1185296,belt+drive,belt,8900

That is entirely possible. Would be extra funny if the last guy did the same thing and miraculously got it on, making me think I had the right size this whole time

I like to look up part numbers on Rock Auto as they have many manufacturers part numbers. For a 2.5 I see listings for no AC and no Power Steering, and listings for no AC and power steering. Is it possible you got a belt for no AC / no power steering instead of one for no AC with power steering?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jeep,1997,wrangler,2.5l+l4,1185296,belt+drive,belt,8900

That is entirely possible. Would be extra funny if the last guy did the same thing and miraculously got it on, making me think I had the right size this whole time. I'll look into it and try to report back, thank you all for helping me work through this!

 

[lBasket]

I like to look up part numbers on Rock Auto as they have many manufacturers part numbers. For a 2.5 I see listings for no AC and no Power Steering, and listings for no AC and power steering. Is it possible you got a belt for no AC / no power steering instead of one for no AC with power steering?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jeep,1997,wrangler,2.5l+l4,1185296,belt+drive,belt,8900

You could get a TJ with manual steering?

 

[Papa_Lugnut]

You could get a TJ with manual steering?

What would I do with the one I have now bruv?

 

[KennethS]

You could get a TJ with manual steering?

That’s what the belt listings show.

 

[KennethS]

What would I do with the one I have now bruv?

Maybe I’m misunderstanding what you mean by that. ??? Isn’t that a power steering pump in your pictures?

 

[KennethS]

I just realized you have the belt part number in your picture.

That belt number 775K6 is in the Rock Auto listing as:

TJ; Except Air Conditioning; w/o Power Steering

Manual steering; Without A/C

 

[Papa_Lugnut]

I just realized you have the belt part number in your picture.

That belt number 775K6 is in the Rock Auto listing as:

TJ; Except Air Conditioning; w/o Power Steering

Manual steering; Without A/C

Don't mind me, I'm retarded and definitely read that wrong last night. I'm looking at effective length of what I bought vs. what's listed on RockAuto. I think you guys are 100% correct. Mine has an effective length of 77.5" which is the same as the ones without power steering. Meanwhile the ones with power steering have a length of 79". That right there would explain my problem. It feels like it's about 2" short, no wonder... Kind of interesting how neither of those big box stores I went to seemed to even be aware of the discrepancy of what's being carried. Also, extra funny whoever owned this Jeep before me did the exact same thing, makes me wonder how in the hell they got it on. I appreciate all of you guys for your assistance.

 

[jeepkeith]

Guys I might be a little late to this party but I just went through the same issues (that's how I came across this.) I went to Advance and got the 91.5 belt, Item number 915K6 Carquest Standard. I brought it home and it was snug, but was able to go on with a little force. the 91 inches belts are measured at 90.944 inches.