Alternator Fan Belt

[shroud]

avensis 2001 gs

I have finally managed to get hold of an extra long 19mm spanner to try and turn the bolt to loosen the fan belt enough to slip it off. Not sure what i am doing wrong but when i pull the spanner towards me and the car moves slightly but the belt doesn't seem to loosen enough to remove it from any of the wheels it is fitted on.

any resident experts who have done this, please can you give me your advice as having paid £20 for a long spanner set i don't really want to pay a garage to then have to do the job for me.

thanks, Gary

[Black Knight]

Haul on in with a lot of force but slow and steady.

Should give you enough slack. Just make sure the hand brakes on :)

[shroud]

Haul on in with a lot of force but slow and steady.

Should give you enough slack. Just make sure the hand brakes on :)

Finally got a dry spell and daylight, but finding it hard going. I have six wheels on which the belt is fitted and the only 19mm bolt is on the one towards the back which i can get with my long 19mm ring spanner but have a pretty small range with which to turn the spanner and seems insufficient to create any noticeable slack. There is what looks to be a 21mm bolt on the alternator (top). If i took this bolt off could i pull off this wheel and do it that way ?

I am sure this seems pretty minor stuff, but i can't see how to get enough range to turn the spanner to get the belt off. I am missing something for sure.

[sisaven]

Haul on in with a lot of force but slow and steady.

Should give you enough slack. Just make sure the hand brakes on :)

Finally got a dry spell and daylight, but finding it hard going. I have six wheels on which the belt is fitted and the only 19mm bolt is on the one towards the back which i can get with my long 19mm ring spanner but have a pretty small range with which to turn the spanner and seems insufficient to create any noticeable slack. There is what looks to be a 21mm bolt on the alternator (top). If i took this bolt off could i pull off this wheel and do it that way ?

I am sure this seems pretty minor stuff, but i can't see how to get enough range to turn the spanner to get the belt off. I am missing something for sure.

Hi, Gary

This how I solved the Problem on my Avensis, = Take an old 19mm ring Spanner saw off one end, attach the sawn off end of the Spanner to approx Two Foot of suitable dia. Pipe (I used 22mm electrical conduit tube) jam it into the tube with suitable packing so as it does not move, - This will give you Ample Leverage to release the Tension on the old belt. You will require an assistant to hold the Tensioner back while you replace the Belt.

This was an easy task with the long leverage, Good Luck, Sisaven.

[shroud]

Haul on in with a lot of force but slow and steady.

Should give you enough slack. Just make sure the hand brakes on :)

Finally got a dry spell and daylight, but finding it hard going. I have six wheels on which the belt is fitted and the only 19mm bolt is on the one towards the back which i can get with my long 19mm ring spanner but have a pretty small range with which to turn the spanner and seems insufficient to create any noticeable slack. There is what looks to be a 21mm bolt on the alternator (top). If i took this bolt off could i pull off this wheel and do it that way ?

I am sure this seems pretty minor stuff, but i can't see how to get enough range to turn the spanner to get the belt off. I am missing something for sure.

Hi, Gary

This how I solved the Problem on my Avensis, = Take an old 19mm ring Spanner saw off one end, attach the sawn off end of the Spanner to approx Two Foot of suitable dia. Pipe (I used 22mm electrical conduit tube) jam it into the tube with suitable packing so as it does not move, - This will give you Ample Leverage to release the Tension on the old belt. You will require an assistant to hold the Tensioner back while you replace the Belt.

This was an easy task with the long leverage, Good Luck, Sisaven.

Thanks, i'm not one to give up so will try again this coming weekend. It's not really leverage that's my problem as i can turn the spanner fine, it just seems to need turning a lot more turn before i run out of space caused by the engine. I noticed on the ford focus they suggest doing the job from underneath which i can see must make thing a lot easier once you've got the car up. I wonder how Toyota themselves do the job ?

[shroud]

Well the job is done and took less than 10 minutes. There are two 19mm bolts and i was originally turning the wrong one. There is a bolt quite near the top but towards the back of the 1.8 vvti engine (thanks to Haynes Manual) and it is dead easy to remove the belt but a bit fiddly to loop a new one back on.

Haynes manual suggests coming from below, but if you don't have big hands it is pretty easy from looking down on the engine.

You still get ripped off for £40 from Toyota for a new belt though.

Hope this helps anyone doing the same job.

[druand]

Re cost of belts, Gates belts made in U.K. are available from most major motor factors and are much cheaper. Alternator and cam belts available. Recently bought genuine cam belt for Ford Cosworth and it was made by Gates, been told same applies to other manufactures who fit Gates as standard when cars new.

I have fitted this make to many makes and models as a mechanic and had NO problems.