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Dodge CaravanThe Dodge Caravan is the best selling mini van from Dodge. How many Dodge Caravan owners here at DodgeForum.com would agree? Discuss it now!
How in the heck do you replace the serpentine belt on this vehicle. The side of the engine is so close to the passenger side engine compartment that I don't see anyway to release the tension on the belt tensioner to get the belt off.
Any special tools ????
I bought a serpentine belt tool for $30 at the local tool store, it has a bunch of sockets, adapters and configurations to change the belt. Your van is a ton easier than doing a belt on a quad 4. now those really suck
If it is only the belt, though it is a tight fit, the nut is 15MM and a box end wrench, ratchet with socket, or in my case a ratcheting box end wrench does the job. Rotate the tensioner clock wiseand the belt comes right off, putting it back on is a pisser IMHO.
I don't see how a prybar would work all that well. and if you don't have a hoist, trying to do a pry bar on your back is rather difficult. good suggestion, but in my experiences, the 15mm works the best and a $30 tensioner tool makes the job super easy
If you are in need of changing the tensioner there was a post with pictures in allpar.com done on a Chrysler T&C and I downloaded it to my documents. I cannot find that post on allpar but if you wish to eamil me at lazybears2@***.net I will try and send it to you.
Do it from above with a belt tool or ring spanner with some extra leverage. Before you start make sure you have sourced a replacement tensioner. When I did mine the tensioner was shot and would not apply tension to the belt when I released it. Changing the tensioner is a PITA.
The file I have uses a ratchet, 12"extension, 4"wobble extension and a 15 MM socket (all on a 3/8" drive). Come up from below and unscrew the nut and take the tensioner off, then put tensioner in place and wedge it there as you go under and strat the nut back on.