Just want to replace the belt do i have to remove the alternator

noisy alternator belts generally indicate out of tension limits or old and cracked and in need of replacement. Inspect the belt and check for cracks ,frayed edges and loose. As the belt heats up it tends to grip better but the problems will still, be there.

SOUND LIKE A DEAD BATTERY BUT CHECK BATTERY VOLTAGE SHOULD BE 12.6 VOLTS.IF NOT BATTERY DEAD NEED TO BE CHECK AND REPLACE.MAKE SURE BATTERY CABLES TIGHT AND BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY POST CLEAN FREE FROM CORROSSION.AFTER REPLACING BATTERY MAKE SURE ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING BATTERY. WITH ENGINE IDLING BATTERY VOLTAGE SHOULD READ 13.5 - 14.5 VOLTS. MEANS ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING BATTERY. IF NOT CHECK ALTERNATOR FUSE AND CHECK ALTERNATOR BATTERY FEED WIRE AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR WIRES, MAKE SURE WIRES NOT FRAYED OR BROKEN. IF ALL IS GOOD MAKE SURE ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT TENSION CORRECT.MAKE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER NOT BROKEN OR DAMAGE CAUSING DRIVE BELT TO SLIP OR CHECK ALTERNATOR CHECK ALTERNATOR PIVOT BOLT MAKE SURE NOT LOOSEN CAUSING TOO MUCH SLACK IN DRIVE BELT CAUSING BELT TO SLIP.WARNING TURN OFF RADIO FIRST BEFORE REMOVING BATTERY CABLES TO REPLACE THE BATTERY BECAUSE IF RADIO WAS LEFT ON WHILE BATTERY WAS DEAD WHEN YOU INSTALL BATTERY CABLES THE POWER SURGE WILL DAMAGE RADIO.

Disconnect battery ground cable
Remove the ground wire (black) from the alternator
Disconnect the positive wire (red wire held on by a retaining nut) from the back of the alternator
Now disconnect the wire harness from the alternator
Remove the drive belt
NOTE: Some models use a belt tensioner that applies tension to the drive belt.
The best tool to use for this job is the serpentine belt too.
If you can borrow one from a neighbour you can get one at PartSource. (Part# 648451)
On other models you will have to loosen the adjusting bolt on the alternator bracket.
If you're not sure about how to remove the drive belt, visit your local PartSource for free print outs of car specific instructions.
Take off the mounting bolts from the alternator bracket
Now remove the alternator from the engine compartment

Installing Your New Alternator
Put the alternator in the engine compartment
Install the mounting bolts that connect the alternator to the alternator bracket
Connect the alternator wiring harness
Now connect the positive wire to the alternator
NOTE: Your new alternator should come with a retaining nut.
Remember to remove the nut before you install the positive wire.
If it doesn't keep the old nut.
Connect the ground wire to the alternator
Now install the drive belt
This is a great time to replace your old worn out belt. When inspecting your old belt look for signs of cracking, oil soaked, hard glazed, splitting or fraying.
All these signs mean it's time you replaced your drive belt.
If your vehicle no longer has the belt routing diagram under the hood, visit your local PartSource for a free print out of the belt routing diagram.
Reconnect the ground battery cable .

Hi,

This is more common with a loose belt than the alternator itself. Check the tension of the belt as a first measure. Also check the general condition of the belt. If it looks frayed or perished get it replaced.

Thanks for using FixYa.

The alternator drive belt is loose or worn out. If the alternator is driven off a serpentine belt then replace the belt. Inspect the serpentine belt tensioner and replace if necessary. On an 18 year old car it is more than likely defective. If it is driven off a standard drive belt then adjust the alternator to tighten the belt. Inspect the belt for fraying and or cracks and replace if you see any.

to replace the belt you need to see what size socket the tensioner has on the inside. with a ratchet attached put the socket on the inside bolt and push in the rotation to move the spring down taking the tension off of the belt. Pull the belt off and be sure to replace it with one of the same lenght. to install the belt, push the tensioner down and pull the belt over it. the tensioner will adjust itself to the correct tension.

Removing the Alternator
Disconnect battery ground cable
Remove the ground wire (black) from the alternator
Disconnect the positive wire (red wire held on by a retaining nut) from the back of the alternator
Now disconnect the wire harness from the alternator
Remove the drive belt
NOTE: Some models use a belt tensioner that applies tension to the drive belt.
The best tool to use for this job is the serpentine belt too.
If you can borrow one from a neighbour you can get one at PartSource. (Part# 648451)
On other models you will have to loosen the adjusting bolt on the alternator bracket.
If you're not sure about how to remove the drive belt, visit your local PartSource for free print outs of vehicle specific instructions.
Take off the mounting bolts from the alternator bracket
Now remove the alternator from the engine compartment There. You've removed the alternator. How easy was that?
Installing Your New Alternator
Put the alternator in the engine compartment
Install the mounting bolts that connect the alternator to the alternator bracket
Connect the alternator wiring harness
Now connect the positive wire to the alternator
NOTE: Your new alternator should come with a retaining nut.
Remember to remove the nut before you install the positive wire.
If it doesn't keep the old nut.
Connect the ground wire to the alternator
Now install the drive belt
This is a great time to replace your old worn out belt. When inspecting your old belt look for signs of cracking, oil soaked, hard glazed, splitting or fraying.
All these signs mean it's time you replaced your drive belt.
If your vehicle no longer has the belt routing diagram under the hood, visit your local PartSource for a free print out of the belt routing diagram.
Reconnect the ground battery cable .

A/C Belt To Remove:
NOTE: The A/C drive belt self tensioner is NOT a dynamic tensioner. After adjustment the tensioner bracket bolts are tightened. The torsion spring is no longer responsible for tensioning the A/C belt. The torsion spring is only used for initial belt tensioning.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove alternator/power steering belt to gain access to A/C belt:
3. Loosen, do not remove tensioner locking bolt and pivot bolt.
4. Insert 1/2" drive breaker bar into square opening on belt tensioner.
5. Rotate tensioner counterclockwise until belt can be removed from pulleys.
6. Slowly rotate tensioner clockwise to relieve spring load. NOTE: Clean all foreign debris from belt pulley grooves. The belt pulleys must be free of oil, grease, and coolants before installing the drive belt.
   NOTE: Belt replacement under any or all of the following conditions is required:
   
   • Excessive wear
   • Frayed cords
   • Severe glazing
7. NOTE: Poly-V Belt system may develop minor cracks across the ribbed side (due to reverse bending). These minor cracks are considered normal and acceptable. Parallel cracks are not
   NOTE: Do not use any type of belt dressing or restorer on Poly-V Belts.
   

mcdevito75 here, If you have 1 continuous belt on the engine (serpentine) then the belt could be worn or the tension pully holding the belt tight could be going bad. No noise in Neautral or Park as increased engine speed in these gears over rides the worn part and thus no noise. On a cold engine examine the belt, look for frays / wear from where the belt rides the pullys. If the belt is 2 years old, Change it.

Hi there. If the belt is frayed I would replace it or it probably wont last long. Under your hood should be a belt routing diagram that shows exactly how the serpentine belt has to be routed. Start at the bottom and try to end at the top by the alternator when routing. You have to depress the belt tensioner by placing a wrench on it and rotating it back to get the last bit of play you will need in the belt to get it over the alternator pulley. Its hard to push because its spring loaded so its easier to have a buddy slip the belt on the last pulley well you hold the tensioner back. Just trying to remember here, but I think the belt tensioner is pushed counter clockwise to release and is a 13, or 15 mm wrench. Hope this helps.