Aircon belt help!!

[francofontain]

Just taken off the old belt as per fact sheet but having an absolute nightmare trying to fit the new one! Reaches over the far pully then one managing to get 1/4 way around the nearest pully thats without going over the small one!!

Anyone!!!! HELP! KIds are nagging me to go out
Franco

[brorabongo]

AFAIK, you don't need the air con belt fitted to go for a run? it is purely for the air con. The small pulley will be the adjuster/tensioner, which again AFAIK has an adjuster( long bolt) and a nut below (tackled from underneath) which needs to be loosened to drop the pulley.

[francofontain]

Too hot for no aircon, small pulley loosened to get the old one off.
is it just a matter of brute stength and ignorance or is there a technique.
OR
Am i doing it wrong!!!!

[dipstick]

Have you checked to see the new belt is the same lenth as the old one, I think the alternator belts are 1000mm and aircon belt is 1100mm.

[missfixit70]

If it's tight to get on, fit the belt on all the pulleys but one, then turn the last pulley & push the belt on as it's turning & it will pull it on to the pulley, may have to use a chunky screwdriver as a lever if it's very tight. Not sure if this will work on an auto by putting it in neutral?
Check it's the right size belt first though

[mikeonb4c]

Be jolly careful you don't have an industrial accident mucking around with pulleys with anything running

Not that I'm suggesting you are about to try that, just that I want to be sure Kirsty means in Neutral but with engine off!

[missfixit70]

Most definitely engine off

[MAXANDPADDY]

Missfixit's right, do the idler pulley last and roll the belt unto the pulley as you turn it. It needs strong fingers, but will go on.

[francofontain]

I hope the belt is right got it from the bongo shop!
Gonna try from underneath tomorrow, lost alot of arm and finger skin trying from passenger seat!

Hadnt thought about trying it in neutral, tomorrow brings more pain

Ta everyone, you can guarentee it'll be bloody cold for the next week now!

Franco