- 1). Locate the belt diagram; it will be at the very front of the Buick near the radiator. It is a rectangular sticker with the vehicle's information and several diagrams.
- 2). Read the diagram while looking at the pulleys on the front of the engine to familiarize yourself with the belt's routing.
- 3). Put the belt over the crankshaft, making certain that the belt's ridges are seated into the ridges of the pulley. The crankshaft pulley is the main pulley coming off the engine. It is at the lower part of the engine near the center.
- 4). Weave the belt over the accessories, follow the belt routing diagram. Make certain that the ridged parts of the belt only contact ridged pulleys and the smooth part only contacts smooth pulleys.
- 5). Relieve the tension on the belt tensioner by using the ratchet and socket to turn the tensioner, or use a pry bar to pry it. Place the belt over the tensioner and apply tension by slowly letting the ratchet and socket loose.
- 6). Pull on the belt and make certain there is only about 1/2-inch of free movement. This ensures proper tension on the belt.
- 7). Start the Buick and watch the movement of the belt to make certain it is straight. Listen for any squeals.
- 1). Place the belt over the corresponding groove in the crankshaft pulley, near the base of the engine.
- 2). Run the belt over the pulley or the accessories it is designed to run, making certain it seats properly in the groove. Some belts only run one accessory while others run two.
- 3). Turn the tensioner bolt on the accessory until there is only about 1/2-inch of free movement up and down on the belt. Tighten the locking bolts. The locking bolts are the two bolts near the top of the accessory that lock the accessory into place, maintaining the tension.
- 4). Tighten the pivot bolt on the accessory. The pivot bolt is the single bolt at either the top or bottom that acts as the pivot point of the accessory.
- 5). Start the vehicle and verify there are no squealing sounds from the belt.
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