How to Remove the Belt Tensioner in a 2007 Corolla

The accessory drive belt on the 2007 Toyota Corolla with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine drives the power steering pump, alternator and AC compressor. The belt tensioner is designed to maintain enough tension on the belt to efficiently drive the engine accessories. Over time, the belt tensioner wears down and need replacing. The two most commons signs of belt tensioner failure is a loose belt or loud squealing coming from the belt and tensioner assembly while the engine is running.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the vehicle hood and secure it with the prop rod. Draw a sketch of the belt routing.

2

Relieve tension on the serpentine belt by rotating the belt tensioner clockwise with a 19 mm socket and breaker bar. Slip the belt from over the belt tensioner, then remove the belt from all upper accessory pulleys.

3

Raise the vehicle with the floor jack. Place jack stands under the front frame rails of the vehicle. Slowly lower the floor jack until the vehicle securely rests on the jack stands.

4

Lie under the vehicle. Remove the right-hand side engine under guard by removing all retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet set. Pull the belt away from the lower accessory pulleys and remove the belt from the vehicle. Inspect the belt for any cracks or glazing and replace as necessary.

5

Remove the mounting nut located at the rear of the belt tensioner assembly with the socket and ratchet. Remove the mounting bolt in the middle of the belt tensioner assembly with the socket and ratchet. Remove the belt tensioner from the engine.

Installation

6

Hold the new belt tensioner assembly in place. Thread on and hand-tighten the rear mounting nut. Thread in and hand-tighten the center mounting bolt. Tighten the rear mounting nut to 21 foot-pounds of torque with the proper-sized socket and torque wrench. Tighten the center mounting bolt to 51 foot-pounds of torque with the proper-sized socket and torque wrench.

7

Rotate the tensioner clockwise at minimum four times through its full stroke with a 19 mm socket and a breaker bar. This releases any air from the tensioner assembly and primes it for proper operation.

8

Lie down under the car and route the belt around the lower accessory pulleys. From the top side of the vehicle, pull the belt up and route it around the upper accessory pulleys. Turn the tensioner clockwise with the 19 mm socket and breaker bar. Slip the belt over the tensioner pulley and slowly apply tension to the belt.

9

Lie down under the vehicle and verify the belt is properly routed around the lower accessory pulleys. Hold the engine undercover to the bottom of the vehicle and install all the retaining bolts. Tighten the engine undercover retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet. Inspect the belt routing around the upper accessory pulleys from the top side of the vehicle.

10

Raise the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle and slowly lower the vehicle to the ground. Remove the floor jack.

11

Start the engine and ensure the belt is rotating properly. Shut off the engine and latch the vehicle hood.