03 CTS Serpentine Belt and Tensioner Install??

[robs03cts]

I need some help on installing a Goodyear Serpentine Belt & Goodyear Blet Tensioner Assembly, should I go with all Dayco's from Advance Auto Parts to do the install myself, or should I let ther dealer do it all?

I've changed belts before when I had a 97 honda accord, but that was over a year & half ago. I want to learn about doing the work myself on my 03 cts.

So I really need to know anything that will help me, any feedback would be of great help!

[o3cts]

its pretty simple just remember the set-up, or look for the diagram. the tensioner is right above the alternator. Ive changed mines about 3 times trying to find the proper rib size for the charger. Save the money.. I used the goodyear gatorback, but oem works perfectly fine. hope this helps

[dup's Cadi]

If you have dine it on another car, you can do it on this one. PM me if you need pics or anything.

[jerrychen0067]

Originally Posted by o3cts

its pretty simple just remember the set-up, or look for the diagram. the tensioner is right above the alternator. Ive changed mines about 3 times trying to find the proper rib size for the charger. Save the money.. I used the goodyear gatorback, but oem works perfectly fine. hope this helps

People say it's dangerous if some stone chips get into Goodyear's gatorback.

[o3cts]

probably never had that problem, but i would think that would be a problem with any belt.

[jerrychen0067]

Also, Gates is going to make carbon fiber timing belt that can handle up to 13000 rpm, awesome.

[robs03cts]

Thanks for the feedback!

I work and work on trying to get the whole Belt Tensioner Assembly out with no luck. I got the top bolt out of the assembly, but the bottom bolt I could get to due top the pipe located right beside it which keeps me from using any of the tools that I had. I even went & bought the Serpentine Belt and Tensioner Tool kit from AUTO ZONE, that didn't help either!

So I inspected the tensioner real good and found that there wasn't anything wrong with the it, but the pulley was no good! I could tell that the bearings inside it had gone bad.

That problem has been taken care of, now on to finding out why I keep hearing a whine sound sometimes when I press the gas and when I let up off the gas at certain points.

Thanks,

Rob

[o3cts]

rear end

[o3cts]

probably

[Awesome1]

robs03cts, I just purchased a tensioner for my 2003 Cadillac CTS 3.2L V-6 engine. I'm about to find out just how difficult it may be to get to the 2nd bolt. In any case, you said you are still hearing a whining sound after you replaced the tensioners pulley. Your problem might be with the tensioner itself. The spring tension may be weak, which could cause your belt to whine or squeal. I have had that problem with other tensioners on other cars. There has to be a way to get to that 2nd bolt that you are talking about. Even if I have to fabricate or modify the tools that I have, that is what I will do. I'll keep you informed of my progress.

[Awesome1]

robs03cts, Ok, I just replaced the belt tensioner on my 2003 Cadillac CTS 3.2 V-6 engine. It was making a chirping sound. It took about an hour. The picture provided here is what I used to remove the old tensioner and install the new one. This is a 3/8" drive ratchet, short extension, universal joint, and a 7/16" 12 point socket. For the top bolt, I removed the extension and just used the universal joint directly to the ratchet. For the bottom bolt, I used what you see in the picture, which is a short extension with the universal joint and the 7/16" socket. It is a super tight fit, but it works. As far as interference goes, I had to remove two wire harness runs out of the way. One is secured to the fender well, and the other to some type of pipe tubing bracket. You will see them right away. Once I got these two wire runs out of the way, it made it much easier to get my ratchet and socket combination in there to do the work. After I got the bolts loose, I had my grandaughter remove the bolts the rest of the way by hand. Smaller hands plays a big part here! She then ligned up the new tensioner and got the two bolts in and hand tightened them all the way in. Let me tell you, this was a big help! I found it impossible to get a torque wrench in there. So, I just put as much tension on the bolt as I could get using the ratchet and socket combination, which I feel was much more than they had when a loosened them. One final note, I noticed that when I installed the belt, the spring tension from the new tensioner was much more than that of the old one that I removed. The chriping sound is no longer present. Hope this helps anyone who is about to replace their belt tensioner. Good Luck!

[kdstrum]

i had the same problem it was the tensioner not the rear end i had mine replaced under warrenty at the dealer

[txbest1980]

great info...thanks