1989 Toyota Corolla drive belt

TERRY ONGLEY

MEMBER
1989 TOYOTA COROLLA

1989 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Automatic

I am attempting to change the a.C. Drive belt but there is not a tensioner and the a.C. Compressor is stationary. The belt goes only to the a.C. The harmonic balancer, and one isolated pulley. The isolated pulley has a bolt that does tighten the belt when turned clockwise, but just comes loose when turned counter-clockwise. This pulley is probably my problem but I'm not sure. How do I get the belt off and is that pulley the tension adjuster? Thanx

1 Reply

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

Yes that is the tensioner, it is probably just stuck. Loosen the bolt and tap it with a rubber mallet and a wooden handle.

If it won't come loose, then remove the front wheel and stone gaurds, remove the pulley bolt and pulley, spray some PB Blaster on the tensioner (clean it all off before putting belt on).

If all of this fails, disconnect negative battery cable, remove alt, cut the belt, remove the AC bolts (4), compressor and hang out of way. Then remove the tensioner and bracket, put the tensioner on a bench vise and see if you can free it up. If not get a new tensioner assy.