🔧 Legacy - Serpentine Belt Replacement

The serpentine belt drives key accessories like the alternator and A/C. If it’s cracked, noisy, or slipping, replacement prevents charging problems and overheating.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; hot pulleys can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers, hair, and clothing away from the belt path.
• ⚠️ Do not start the engine with tools in the engine bay.
• ⚠️ If you raise the front of your Legacy, support it with jack stands on solid ground.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but remove the key and keep it away from the car.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive breaker bar
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 6" extension for 3/8" drive
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Flashlight
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Plastic undertray clips - Qty: 4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Take a quick photo of the belt routing, or locate the belt-routing sticker under the hood.
• If access is tight, raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) and jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) to safely support the front.
• Remove the undertray fasteners using a trim clip removal tool and 10mm socket.
• Lower the shield and set it aside.

Step 2: Locate the belt tensioner

• Use a flashlight to find the automatic belt tensioner at the front of the engine.
• The tensioner is spring-loaded; it pivots to release belt tension.
• Take a photo before removing the belt.

Step 3: Release belt tension

• Install a 14mm socket on a 3/8" drive breaker bar.
• Place the socket on the tensioner’s hex and rotate the tensioner to relieve belt tension.
• While holding it released, slide the belt off the easiest pulley (usually the alternator pulley) by hand while wearing mechanic gloves.
• Slowly let the tensioner return to its resting position. Do not let it snap back.

Step 4: Remove the old belt

• Pull the belt out of the remaining pulleys by hand.
• Use a flashlight to inspect each pulley for wobble or roughness (spin by hand).
• If any pulley feels gritty or noisy, the tensioner or idler pulley may also need replacement.

Step 5: Route the new belt

• Compare the new belt to the old one for matching length and rib count.
• Route the belt around all pulleys except one easy-to-reach pulley last.
• Make sure the belt ribs sit fully in the grooved pulleys and the back of the belt rides on any smooth pulleys.
• Misalignment can shred a belt fast.

Step 6: Apply tension and seat the belt

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8" drive breaker bar to rotate the tensioner and create slack.
• Slip the belt onto the last pulley, then slowly release the tensioner.
• Re-check every pulley with a flashlight to confirm the belt is centered and fully seated.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reinstall the undertray using a 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool.
• Snug fasteners with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 10mm socket.

Step 8: Final check

• Remove tools from the engine bay and lower the car using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Start the engine and watch the belt for 20-30 seconds.
• Listen for squeal or slapping sounds; shut off immediately if the belt walks off a pulley.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck belt alignment after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• If you hear chirping/squealing, inspect for a pulley that’s misaligned or a weak tensioner.
• Look under the car to confirm the splash shield is secure and not rubbing.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $160-$320 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $135-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.5 hours.

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🎯 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.