Serpentine Belt replacement on Ford.

[hickmlg09]

Monday I had a coworker ask me if I could change her fiancees belt. Wanted to know what I needed to do with a 98 Ford f150. I've only done it on other cars. What tools will I need? I know ford's are self adjusting also. Was looking at different years of fords, didn't know if I would need the same socket. Thanks!!

 

[chris142]

Iirc you just need a 3/8 breaker bar

 

[dsmnickk90]

Yup 3/8 breaker bar. I use a 1/2 breaker bar with 1/2"-3/8" reducer

 

[hickmlg09]

Iirc you just need a 3/8 breaker bar

That's all I will need? I thought I needed a socket to loosen the belt tensioner?

 

[hickmlg09]

Are all Ford's that way? I hated working on ford's this semester in Auto class. Something always broke. So if I bring my 3/8 breaker bar I will be fine than and won't need any other tools? Just don't want to show up with wrong tools. She lives 45 mins away from my house.

 

[kiatech]

should be an auto tensioner

 

[Nitroinsane]

Yes I use a 1" extension on my 3/8ths breaker. Check the pulleys after you take the belt off. These vehicles have noisy idlers

 

[hickmlg09]

If I just use my breaker bar does it have like a hook that connects into the breaker bar? Sorry about the questions, this is just a little different than when i've done it on other cars.

 

[joedodge]

I'd look it up on all data or mitchels at school if your that unsure. But most gm and fords of that vintage just need a 1/2 or 3/8 breaker or long ratchet the tensioner are constant tension and have a spot cut out for the ratchet to fit exactly

 

[Nitroinsane]

It's square hole just like the bottom of a socket. Bring some sockets incase we all ****. Either way its a spring loaded belt tensioner.

 

[hickmlg09]

I'd look it up on all data or mitchels at school if your that unsure. But most gm and fords of that vintage just need a 1/2 or 3/8 breaker or long ratchet the tensioner are constant tension and have a spot cut out for the ratchet to fit exactly

It's a 98, so than it should be okay. Im out of school for summer or I could use mitchell :-( that program was awesome. I'm take all my ratchets with me.

 

[Lead-Core]

4.6 and 5.4L's you can use the 3/8" breaker bar. pretty sure if its a 4.2L then you would need a 13mm? socket to rotate tentioner.

 

[joedodge]

You should be fine take a couple short extensions also sometimes it makes it easier. Look into getting a gear wrench serpentine belt tool when you start working they make belts a breeze

 

[OxJaw]

I'm almost positive the one my 99 F150 was 1/2 inch not 3/8 inch. I would take both just to sure.

It's pretty straight forward, put the breaker bar/ratchet in the drive hole on the tensioner and rotate it clockwise to release the tension on the belt. Remove the belt and then install the new one, move the tensioner in a clockwise rotation to finish putting the new belt on.

 

[padronanniversary]

3/8th just done it recently.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

You can do it!!

Adam

 

[OxJaw]

Just checked my 99 it is most definitely 1/2 inch. I'd take both just to be safe.

 

[tatra]

take a look at the lisle belt tools for applying the belt......i have bent one up from a coat hanger.....take pics of the belt routing, study the decal if still there showing the routing.....the new belt wil be tighter then the old one coming off so be prepared to put more effort in compressing the tensioner spring then you had to removing the old one.....

 

[davesnothere]

You should be fine take a couple short extensions also sometimes it makes it easier. Look into getting a gear wrench serpentine belt tool when you start working they make belts a breeze

The gearwrench set is money well spent.

 

[SantaAna12]

1/2 inch on my 99...same series motor. Rockauto has the Motorcraft tensioner and I used a Gates gatorback heavy duty belt for a good price delivered to your door.