🔧 Outback - Serpentine Belt Replacement

The serpentine belt drives important accessories on your Outback, including the alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor. Replacing it involves releasing the belt tensioner, removing the old belt, and routing the new belt exactly the same way.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1 hour

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool completely before working near the belt and pulleys.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers, sleeves, jewelry, and tools away from the belt path.
• ⚠️ Do not start the engine while the belt is removed.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable if you are uncomfortable working near the alternator wiring.
• ⚠️ The belt tensioner is spring-loaded; release it slowly so it does not snap back.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm wrench
• 14mm box-end wrench
• 14mm serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Outback on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• ❄️ Make sure the engine is cool to the touch.
• 🔦 Open the hood and use a flashlight to inspect the belt routing before removal.
• 📸 Take a clear photo of the old belt path before removing it. This is the easiest way to avoid routing mistakes.
• 🔋 If disconnecting the battery, use a 10mm wrench to loosen the negative battery terminal, then move the cable aside where it cannot touch the post.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the Belt and Tensioner

• Use a flashlight to look at the front of the engine where the long rubber serpentine belt wraps around the pulleys.
• The belt tensioner is the spring-loaded pulley assembly that keeps the belt tight. It moves when you pull on it with a wrench or belt tool.
• Find the 14mm hex area on the tensioner arm. This is where you will place the tool to release belt tension.
• Take a photo first.

Step 2: Release Belt Tension

• Put on work gloves and safety glasses.
• Place a 14mm box-end wrench or 14mm serpentine belt tool on the tensioner hex.
• A serpentine belt tool is a long, thin wrench that gives extra reach in tight engine bays.
• Rotate the tensioner slowly to relieve pressure from the belt.
• While holding the tensioner back, slide the belt off the easiest smooth pulley with your free hand.
• Slowly let the tensioner return to its resting position. Do not let it snap back.

Step 3: Remove the Old Belt

• Use your hands to pull the old belt off the remaining pulleys.
• Compare the old belt to the new serpentine drive belt. The length and rib count should match.
• Look at each pulley with a flashlight. If any pulley is cracked, wobbly, noisy, or oily, fix that before installing the new belt.

Step 4: Route the New Belt

• Use your photo as a guide and route the new serpentine drive belt around the pulleys.
• Make sure the ribbed side of the belt sits in ribbed pulleys.
• Make sure the smooth side of the belt runs against smooth pulleys.
• Leave the easiest upper smooth pulley for last so you can slip the belt over it after releasing the tensioner.
• Ribs must sit fully in grooves.

Step 5: Reinstall Belt Over Final Pulley

• Use the 14mm box-end wrench or 14mm serpentine belt tool to rotate the tensioner again.
• Slide the new belt over the final pulley.
• Slowly release the tensioner until it tightens the belt.
• Remove the tool carefully.

Step 6: Check Belt Alignment

• Use a flashlight to inspect every pulley.
• The belt must be centered on each pulley.
• The belt ribs must be fully seated in the grooves.
• If the belt is one rib off, use the 14mm box-end wrench or 14mm serpentine belt tool to release tension and reposition it.

Step 7: Reconnect Battery if Disconnected

• If you disconnected the battery, place the negative cable back on the battery post.
• Use a 10mm wrench to tighten the terminal until snug.
• Do not overtighten the battery terminal.

Step 8: Start and Inspect

• Remove all tools from the engine bay.
• Start the engine and let it idle.
• Use a flashlight to watch the belt from a safe distance.
• The belt should run smoothly with no wobble, squeal, or walking sideways.
• Shut the engine off immediately if the belt jumps, squeals loudly, or looks misaligned.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Listen for squealing during the first startup and while turning the steering wheel.
• ✅ Check that the battery warning light is off after the engine starts.
• ✅ Turn the A/C on and confirm the belt still runs smoothly.
• ✅ Recheck belt alignment after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• ✅ If the new belt squeals, inspect the tensioner and pulleys before replacing the belt again.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 USD equivalent, depending on local labor and part pricing

DIY Cost: $25-$70 USD equivalent, parts only

You Save: $95-$150 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 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.