How to Replace the Idler Pulley & Drive Belt on a 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Replacing the idler pulley and the drive belt on a 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible is not a difficult process and requires minimal tools. The routing of the belt is the most important item to be analyzed before beginning the procedure. A description of the belt routing is located on the plastic fan shroud on a Sebring. If the serpentine belt routing has been torn off the shroud, look in the owner's manual. If you have no manual, simply write down the routing on a piece of paper for reference. Idler pulleys typically suffer from either a severely grooved pulley or a worn bearing.

Instructions

1

Locate the belt tensioner between the alternator and the crankshaft. Locate the description of the belt routing on the fan shroud. If it isn't there, write the routing down on a piece of paper. This saves a lot of time installing the belt.

2

Install the ratchet with a 13 mm socket on the tensioner. Move the tensioner away from the belt and remove the belt.

3

Remove the center bolt in the idler pulley using a socket. Install the new idler and tighten the bolt to 30 foot-pounds of torque.

4

Install the belt starting at the crankshaft pulley. Place the belt over all the pulleys except for the air-conditioning compressor. Hold the belt at this point. Move the tensioner away from the belt with the ratchet, and place the remainder of the belt on the air-conditioning compressor.