Ford Stretch Belt Installation

[crouse]

My wife's 2009 Ford Flex has two belts. One longer belt that runs the alternator, water pump and A/C compressor. This belt has a tensioner. The second belt just runs the power steering pump and does not have a tensioner. From what I've read on-line, they call it a stretch belt and there is a special tool needed to install it. I really don't want to buy a tool that I'll only use one. Does anyone have any other method of installing it? Thanks, Curt

[Logizyme]

I have the special tools and they really get the job done.

But in the absence of the special tools you can use a pry bar to pry the belt away from the power steering pulley while rotating the crankshaft. You can install the belt by wrapping it around the crankshaft, then wrapping it as far as you can around the power steering, then use a zip tie or two to the pulley and rotate the crankshaft, or you can also try cranking the engine, once the belt is on the zip tie will break.

Both steps may take several tries. Also, if you are replacing the belt you can just go ahead and cut it off rather than struggle to get it off with the pry bar.

[Zack]

Cable tie the belt to the pulley and bump the starter

[larryo340]

I've done quite a few of stretch belts on the 3.0 24V with nothing more than the shaft of a screwdriver and as Zack posted..bump the starter.

[crouse]

Thanks for the responses. I was worried about cutting the old belt and not being able to get the new belt on.

[fastblackmerc]

I bet there are alot of YouTube videos showing how to do it.