🔧 Tucson - Serpentine Belt Replacement

The serpentine belt (also called the drive belt) runs the alternator, A/C compressor, and other accessories. On your Tucson, you release the spring-loaded belt tensioner, slip the old belt off, then route and install the new belt correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; keep hands clear of pulleys and fans.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands on a solid, level surface (never rely on the jack alone).
• ⚠️ Keep the key out of the vehicle so nobody can start it while your hands are near the belt.
• ⚠️ Do not put fingers between the belt and pulleys while releasing the tensioner.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive ratchet
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flashlight
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Plastic splash shield clips - Qty: 4

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks at the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and locate the belt routing diagram (usually on a sticker near the radiator support). If the sticker is missing, take a clear photo of the current routing before removal.
• Breaker bar = long handle for extra leverage.
• Belt tensioner = spring-loaded arm that tightens the belt.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the right-front corner

• Loosen the right-front wheel lug nuts slightly using a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• Lift the right-front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper support point.
• Remove the wheel using a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive ratchet.

Step 2: Remove the right-front inner splash shield (access panel)

• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out the plastic clips.
• Remove any small bolts with a 10mm socket.
• Pull the splash shield back enough to access the belt and tensioner.

Step 3: Find the belt tensioner and confirm the correct “release” bolt

• Use a flashlight to locate the spring-loaded tensioner arm and pulley.
• On your Tucson, the tensioner release point is typically a hex on the tensioner arm. Use a 17mm socket; if yours is smaller, use a 14mm socket.
• Do not loosen the pulley bolt.

Step 4: Release belt tension

• Place the 17mm socket (or 14mm socket, if that fits) on the tensioner hex with the 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• Rotate the tensioner smoothly to relieve tension (it will feel strong because of the spring).
• While holding the tensioner rotated, slide the belt off the easiest-to-reach upper pulley (commonly the alternator) by hand.
• Slowly let the tensioner return to its resting position. Don’t let it snap back.

Step 5: Remove the old belt and compare to the new one

• Remove the belt from all pulleys and take it out through the wheel well opening.
• Lay the old belt next to the new belt and confirm the length and rib count match.

Step 6: Route the new belt (most important step)

• Route the new belt around the pulleys following the under-hood routing diagram.
• Make sure the ribbed side of the belt sits in the ribbed pulleys, and the smooth side rides on smooth pulleys.
• Leave the easiest upper pulley for last so you can slip it on after releasing tension.
• If one rib is off, it will squeal.

Step 7: Apply tension and seat the belt

• Rotate the tensioner again using the 1/2" drive breaker bar and 17mm socket (or 14mm socket).
• Slip the belt onto the last pulley.
• Slowly release the tensioner.
• Visually inspect every pulley: the belt ribs must be fully seated and centered.

Step 8: Reinstall splash shield and wheel

• Reposition the splash shield and install bolts with a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall clips using the trim clip removal tool.
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive ratchet: Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Start your Tucson and let it idle for 30–60 seconds while you watch the belt path (keep hands and clothing away).
• Listen for chirping/squealing. If you hear it, shut off and re-check belt seating on every pulley.
• After a short test drive, re-check that the splash shield is secure and no clips are missing.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$320 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $25-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $120-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.