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Hey guys,

I was changing my timing belt one night and figured out a way to tighten the belts easier. Not sure if anyone has done this but I just wanted to share. When tightening the compressor/alternator belt, I used a 27mm socket to slip over the wing nut and used a 1/2 inch ratchet to turn it. It made a huge time difference tightening the wing nut. You could probably use a 26mm or even a 25mm since the 27mm was a little to big, but got it done. I did this with the power steering out of the way. Not sure if it will work with it in the way.

-jtg199

 
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good idea,

i normally use a pair of large pliers

 
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You don't really want to know how I really do those belts.....


I have a junk socket, maybe 9/16" with two slots cut in the sides that slips over the wings, I can use an impact gun on them now LOL.

 
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i just took the bolt to Lowes and got a new one with matching threads but without wings on it so I can put a regular socket and ratchet on it.

 
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That is a good idea!

 
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funny enough, how a simple thread like this deserves it's place on the DIY Moved to DIY! thanks!

 
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Awesome!

 
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Today I was re-tightening my 2003 Civic LX Coupe's alternator-A/C serpentine belt. For people's reference, the adjusting bolt is M8x1.25x75 (8 mm diameter, coarse thread, 75 mm long). See photo. I think it's probably Grade 10.9. Neither Lowes, Home Depot, nor True Value had the right grade; a long enough bolt; or a bolt that was threaded for over 3/4's of its length. Ace Hardware has metric Grade 8.8 threaded all the way to the head, 70 mm long, M8x1.25. I bought one and will try it as needed.

My belt had been squealing after overnight temperatures in the 50s or so. Before tightening, 24 threads were showing from the end to the "alternator adjuster stay." I tightened so that 30 threads were showing. I rigged up a postal scale and some rope to apply some 22 pounds of force. A bowline knot attaches to the belt. The rope wraps around a structural member. Another bowline knot attaches the postal scale to the rope end. I put the end of a ruler about where the rope attached to the serpentine belt to measure deflection. Pull on the scale to achieve 22 lbs. Line up the ruler with a part. Note the rule reading. Release the scale and see how much deflection there was.

I use a home-made wing nut socket (like ezone's) for tightening the adjuster. I PB Blastered and then anti-seized the adjuster fully before re-tightening today. Hopefully the tension is now in the ballpark and the belt is not overtightened. If this attempt fails, I may spring for a $50+ belt tensioning tool.

I miss my 1991 Civic. Tightening its alternator belt was so easy.

 
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If it still squeals upon startup, it's still a bit loose. I'd just crank the adjusting bolt one or two more turns tighter and see if it makes noise tomorrow.

I sure don't have the special tool, or scale and ruler and don't have time or desire to create it. I adjust belts by feel--- move the alternator with a prybar---, and use the logic above. Of course, lots of experience with keeping them quiet helps.

 
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Lol, basically what I do, sans impact wrench. I used a dremel to cut slots on a spare socket I had laying around. I think mine is 14mm. Still squeals? Same as ezone, tighten a bit, check tomorrow.

I should not be this excited that someone else uses a bowline knot in everyday use.. lol

 
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Thanks for the further thoughts, ezone and xriceboyx. This belt is new as of about October, 2014. I ran it a month or so, and it was squealing first thing in the morning. I tightened the adjuster bolt four turns. I still got the squeal, though maybe less often. Only in the last two months have I been able to resume my Honda's maintenance. If I do not get the squeal in the next few weeks, I will go in there and loosen the adjuster bolt a turn or two. I do not want to shorten the alternator's life via a too-tight belt. Or I am overthinking this. Either way I will chalk this up to getting experience tweaking the tension on the super wide serpentine belt and yes, getting a feel for what's right.

 
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I would not. If you get it tight enough to stay quiet, I'd leave it there.


Stretch can be a problem with lower quality belts.

 
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****er , and all this time i been adjusting the ****er alternator belt the freaking wing nut.. i didnt realize i could slide a socket and i have all those sizes..

 
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You'll have to notch the socket to fit over the wings of that wing... screw? Us that the proper term for that adjust bolt? Sure. It works

 
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thats not funny,, i been busting my knuckles all these years)

 
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Jeez, I suppose you get dirty too?

Nobody ever told me I had to get dirty to fix cars, so I avoid it as much as possible.



/admires my clean fingernails

 
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This was just what I was looking for. We just purchased a used 2005 Honda Civic and had occasional belt squeal. I looked up videos on how to adjust, and finally got to it today only to be very frustrated trying to get the wing nut to move for the alternator/AC belt. Pliers did nothing to help at the wing nut is vertical and the space doesn't allow for my hands to fit well. I will have to see if I have a big enough socket, or notch one of my many spare smaller sockets. You have given me hope that I can actually get this tightened.

 
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Did you loosen all of the mounting bolts first?

I just use a prybar from underneath to move the alt wherever I want it. Tighten bolts once the belt tension is correct.

 
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Yes, the bolts were loose. This is more a matter of rust due to salt used on the roads in winter around here. Using a socket that fits over the wingnut made it so much easier. Now the belt is pretty much where it needs to be in terms of deflection and the squeal is gone. Either way, it is a stupid design making adjusting belt tension overly difficult.

 
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odd.....i find it to be a very good design making adjusting the belt very easy

put a bit of oil or WD-40 on the threads

 
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So having to remove the power steering belt and move the power steering pump out of the way to get to the AC - Alternator belt is a good design? I find it clunky and difficult, not to mention the use of the wing top bolt. Even a normal bolt would be preferable. If you like it, good for you. I personally do not.

 
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Why would you remove the steering pump? That's unnecessary. Just loosen it and slip its belt off.
Every belt drive system with multiple belts on the same pulley requires the removal of the outer belt(s) to reach the inner belt. Nothing unusual here.

 
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I went caveman style to tighten the wing nut: one long wooden dowel on the wing nut and a hammer to hit the dowel....crude but effective. Pry-barred the alternator until no more squeal.

 
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A real caveman would have used a rock.