🔧 Serpentine Belt - Replacement

The serpentine belt drives key accessories on your Stinger, including the alternator and A/C compressor. If it is cracked, glazed, noisy, or slipping, replace it before it fails and leaves you stranded.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work with the engine completely off and cool.
• Keep fingers, clothing, and tools clear of the belt path and pulleys.
• Do not start the engine with the belt removed.
• If equipped with an electric cooling fan, keep hands clear even with the ignition off.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Metric socket set
• Torque wrench
• Flat trim tool
• Flashlight
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Jack stands
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool fully.
• Raise the front of the vehicle only if you need extra access from below.
• Use jack stands if the front is lifted. Never rely on the jack alone.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the belt area

• Open the hood and locate the front accessory drive belt on your Stinger.
• If access is tight from above, lift the front of the vehicle with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Use a flashlight to trace the belt path and belt routing before removal.

Step 2: Release belt tension

• Use the serpentine belt tool (specialty) to rotate the belt tensioner and relieve tension.
• Move slowly to avoid slipping.
• Slip the belt off one easy-to-reach pulley while holding the tensioner released.

Step 3: Remove the old belt

• Use your hands to pull the belt out of the pulley system.
• Inspect the old belt for cracks, glazing, missing ribs, or fraying. This helps confirm the failure mode.
• If you see oil or coolant on the belt, check for a leak before installing the new one.

Step 4: Compare the new belt

• Lay the new serpentine belt next to the old one and compare length and rib count.
• Make sure the routing matches the engine layout exactly before installing it.

Step 5: Install the new belt

• Route the new belt around all pulleys except the easiest final pulley to reach.
• Use the serpentine belt tool (specialty) to move the tensioner again.
• Slip the belt onto the last pulley and slowly release the tensioner.
• Make sure every rib sits fully in every pulley groove.

Step 6: Inspect belt alignment

• Use a flashlight to check the belt on each pulley.
• Confirm the belt is centered and not riding on a pulley edge.
• One mis-seated rib can destroy a new belt fast.

Step 7: Start and verify

• Start the engine and watch the belt for smooth operation.
• Listen for squealing, chirping, or fluttering.
• If the belt tracks unevenly, shut the engine off and recheck routing and seating.

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✅ After Repair

• Run the engine for 1-2 minutes and confirm quiet operation.
• Check the belt again after a short test drive.
• Reinspect for any oil or coolant leaks if the old belt was contaminated.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$350 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$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.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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