How to Change the Alternator Belt on a 1995 Mitsubishi Montero

The base model 1995 Mitsubishi Montero was designed with a 3.0-liter 12-valve six-cylinder engine. The alternator is located on the passenger side of the vehicle on the bottom of the engine, so it will have to be removed from under the vehicle. Removing the alternator belt will require removing the power steering belt first. Removal of the alternator will not require any special tools.

Instructions

Removal

1

Set the parking brake. Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a combination wrench.

2

Draw a diagram of the routing of the alternator and power steering pump belt using paper and a pen.

3

Lift the vehicle into the air with the floor jack. Place the jack stands under the front frame rails and lower the vehicle until it rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack. Shake the vehicle to ensure it is safely supported.

4

From on top of the vehicle, loosen the power steering pump mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Rotate the power steering pump toward the engine to relieve tension on the power steering belt. Remove the power steering belt. Inspect the belt for any cranking, splits or fraying. If these exist, replace the belt

5

Lie down under the vehicle. Loosen the alternator support bolt at the bottom of the alternator with the socket and ratchet. Loosen the alternator adjusting bolt and nut with the socket and ratchet; use a wrench to hold the nut stationary while the bolt is being loosened.

6

Push the alternator toward the driver side of the vehicle to loosen the belt. Remove the belt from the engine.

Installation

7

Lie down under the vehicle. Route the alternator belt starting with the crank shaft pulley, using the drawn diagram as a reference.

8

Pull the alternator toward the passenger side until the belt is tight. Tighten the adjuster bolt and nut to 17 foot-pounds of torque with the socket and torque wrench. Check the belt tension by pushing on it with your thumb, there should be a little over a 1/4-inch of slack -- 0.26 to 0.31 inches to be exact. If there is more or less play, loosen the adjuster bolt and nut and adjust the belt until belt tension matches the specification and torque the adjuster nut and bolt. Tighten the bottom alternator mounting bolt to 16 foot-pounds of torque with the socket and torque wrench.

9

Route the power steering belt over the crankshaft pulley and the power steering pump pulley, using the drawn diagram as a reference.

10

Pull the power steering belt away from the engine until the belt is tight and tighten the power steering pump mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Check the belt tension by pressing on it with your thumb; there should be just over 1/4 inch of play -- 0.26 to 0.31 inches to be exact. If there is more or less, loosen the power steering pump bolts, adjust the belt tension accordingly and tighten the pump mounting bolts.

11

Lift the vehicle off of the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Install the negative battery cable and tighten it with the proper wrench. Latch the vehicle hood.