🔧 Accord - Serpentine Belt Replacement

The serpentine belt drives key accessories like the alternator and A/C. On your Accord, you relieve spring tension with the belt tensioner, slip the old belt off, then route and install the new belt correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; the radiator fan can start unexpectedly.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers/clothes away from pulleys and the belt path.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not put hands between the belt and pulleys while releasing the tensioner.
• Battery disconnect is not required for belt replacement, but keep the key away from the car so no one starts it.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 14mm box-end wrench
• 10mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3" extension
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flashlight
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lb range)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine belt (accessory drive belt, 6-rib) - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and locate the belt routing diagram (usually on a sticker near the radiator support). If missing, take a clear photo of the belt routing before removal.
• Tip: Draw a quick routing sketch.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the right-front corner for access

• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2" breaker bar to slightly loosen the right-front wheel lug nuts (do not remove yet).
• Lift the right-front with a floor jack and place the car securely on jack stands.
• Remove the wheel using the 19mm socket.

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

• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out the plastic clips.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet and 3" extension to remove any 10mm screws/bolts holding the splash shield.
• Pull the splash shield back to expose the belt and pulleys.
• Splash shield = plastic liner inside wheel well.

Step 3: Relieve belt tension using the tensioner

• Locate the belt tensioner (spring-loaded arm with a pulley). Tensioner = automatic belt tightener.
• Place a 14mm box-end wrench on the tensioner’s hex (on the tensioner arm).
• Rotate the tensioner to relieve tension (smooth, controlled movement). Hold it there.

Step 4: Remove the old belt

• While holding the tensioner released with the 14mm box-end wrench, slide the belt off the easiest-to-reach pulley (often the alternator or A/C pulley).
• Slowly let the tensioner return to rest (do not let it snap back).
• Remove the belt from the remaining pulleys and pull it out through the wheel well.

Step 5: Inspect pulleys and confirm routing

• Use a flashlight to check each pulley for wobble, cracks, or rough bearings (spin by hand).
• Compare your routing to the under-hood diagram/photo before installing the new belt.

Step 6: Install the new belt

• Route the new belt around the pulleys following the routing diagram, leaving one easy pulley for last.
• Use the 14mm box-end wrench to rotate the tensioner and create slack again.
• Slip the belt onto the last pulley, then slowly release the tensioner.
• Visually confirm the belt ribs are fully seated in every grooved pulley (no rib “hanging off”).
• If it squeals, it’s often mis-routed.

Step 7: Reinstall splash shield and wheel

• Reposition the splash shield and reinstall fasteners using the 10mm socket, 3/8" ratchet, and 3" extension.
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lb).

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and watch the belt for 20-30 seconds; it should run straight with no wobble.
• Turn A/C on and off and listen for chirping/squealing.
• Shut the engine off and re-check belt seating on all pulleys with a flashlight.
• If you hear persistent squeal, re-check routing and that the belt is fully in the grooves.

---

💰 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.