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Ford Mustang V6 2005-2014: How to Replace Serpentine Belt

After years of use, a serpentine belt wears out, causing the rubber to harden and squeak. Find out how to replace your serpentine belt below!

By AJ Mawley - October 14, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 (2005-2014).

Replacing your serpentine belt becomes necessary over time, as the grooves in belt wear out and the belt itself starts to crack. A serpentine belt is used to drive all of your accessories in your vehicle, including your water pump, alternator, power steering pump, etc. The serpentine belt can be replaced at home easily with a few simple tools and a few minutes of time. Having a friend nearby can help with this job, so one person can focus on belt removal while the other removes tension from the belt. Overall, this job should be painless and make your Mustang's engine quieter as well as more reliable!

Materials Needed

  • 15mm socket and ratchet
  • New belt

Step 1 – Remove old belt

Remove your old belt by taking your 15mm socket and placing it on the belt tensioner bolt. You have to turn it counterclockwise to release the belt's tension, so that the belt can be maneuvered off of the pulleys on your engine. Your engine bay will have a diagram of your belt system, so you know how to put the new belt on.

Figure 1. Releasing the tension on the belt.

Pro Tip

Have a friend hold the ratchet while you slide the belt off.

Step 2 – Install new belt

Following the routing in your engine bay, install your new belt by sliding the belt over all of the pulleys except the tensioner. Then, release the tension on the tensioner and slide the belt on the pulley to complete the job. Congratulations, you have replaced your serpentine belt!

Figure 2. Belt routing example.

Pro Tip

Do not force the belt over any pulley. Instead, make sure that the tensioner is being released all of the way.

Featured Video: How to Change Serpentine Belt

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