I am having trouble taking my belt off a 96 4.9L with A/C. I have been told to use a pry bar to push it up to relieve the tension and I have read that you use a breaker bar with a socket. Which is right? I have tried to use a breaker bar with a 3/4 in socket and turn the upper bolt clockwise (seen in attachments) but the bolt turns. I expected it to be tight and just move the tensioner up so I could remove the belt. Is this the right bolt? Should it be tight so I can move the tensioner or am I going about this the wrong way

 

i've always used the pulley bolt to loosen the belt. it's a 5/8" socket on mine. hope it helps.

 

There's a sticker up front with the belt diagram, and it should tell you how to relieve the tension.

It should involve putting a socket on the pulley bolt and turning one way or the other.

 

Tried 5/8 socket and it slipped around, but it was close. Tried a 9/16 and it was too small. got out a 19/32 open end and it fit. Have to get a socket that size to continue. You are talking about the center bolt on the bottom black wheel, right?

 

Leave the top bolt alone unless you're removing the assembly, and even then you have to take the belt off first. I think it's 15 mm on the bottom bolt, the pulley bolt. Pull up away from the belt.

 

Yes, the bolt holding black pulley. It should take a 15mm socket, short or long should work. A normal ratchet should work, but a longer one or a breaker bar will be easier.

 

The "black" pulley is the idler pulley--not the tensioner pulley!!
Look below and to the left of the idler pulley and you will see another pulley.
Use a 9/16" socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet. Apply and upward or downward (I can`t remember which) force . One of these will cause the pulley to move. It is spring loaded so you must maintain pressure when removing and installing the belt. Hope this helps.

 

They do call it the Idler Pulley in the diagram, but it is the same thing as the Tensioner Pulley on the 4.9L. What you're describing is the Tensioner Pulley location on the 5.0L and 5.8L.

 

Yea. Duh.