A/C belt - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Emboyoyo · 2011-06-09, 05:43 PM

Okay so I've tried everything to get my A/C belt on my car and it just won't go on.... Is tree anything I can do to get it on without tearing up every belt?!?!

Dean · 2011-06-09, 05:46 PM

With the idler/adjuster loosened, it should be an easy slip on with the right length belt.

If you have not loosened the idler, make sure you loosen the bolt through the idler before turning the adjuster bolt.

Emboyoyo · 2011-06-09, 05:49 PM

The idler is completey down and there is no adjuster bolt... We've tried everything!! :/

WRX06TR · 2011-06-09, 06:59 PM

The 08 Impreza lost the tensioner pulley. Instead they use a stretch belt. From what I can gather online, you can loosen the AC compressor and then use the provided tool (or a screwdriver) to stretch the belt onto the pulley.

sperry · 2011-06-10, 01:50 PM

What Nick said: it's a stretch belt now, and a huge PITA ass to install. I think you pretty much have to have the special tool.

Emboyoyo · 2011-06-10, 01:51 PM

Figured out the problem..... Have to buy a special belt that stretches.... $106 belt!!

Emboyoyo · 2011-06-10, 01:51 PM

Yeah this sucks!! Why did subaru have to change it on the car I got!! ERRRR!!

sperry · 2011-06-10, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emboyoyo

Figured out the problem..... Have to buy a special belt that stretches.... $106 belt!!

*sigh* Boy, I'm so glad they reduced the cost/complexity of a $10 belt and $40 tensioner by using a $106 belt and a $100 installation tool!

Emboyoyo · 2011-06-10, 01:57 PM

Yeah but then they changed it back to the old way on the 2010's and up!!

sperry · 2011-06-10, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emboyoyo

Yeah but then they changed it back to the old way on the 2010's and up!!

Really? I wonder if my '09 Outback is stretch belt or not. I'm pretty sure it is.

KSpeed Auto · 2011-06-10, 02:08 PM

Gates #91030 Micro-V Stretch Fit Installation Tool is available online for less than $15 shipped. Locally O'Reilly has them in stock for $15.99. But don't tell my boss I told you.

Oh wait... I am my boss!

Matt

Emboyoyo · 2011-06-10, 02:18 PM

I already got the tools... one of my friends gave me them for free

KSpeed Auto · 2011-06-10, 02:19 PM

Oops, just found out that we also need Gates #91031 Subaru Installation tool for
Micro-V Stretch Fit Belts. Yay, Subaru!

http://gates.com/stretchfit/

We have them both.

KSpeed Auto · 2011-06-10, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emboyoyo

Figured out the problem..... Have to buy a special belt that stretches.... $106 belt!!

Is that the Subaru retail price? We would sell the Gates stretch belt for about $43 installed, which is not much more than the regular type.

08awsti · 2011-06-13, 10:46 PM

the 08+ still has the bracket to run the older style tensioner. just need the tensioner and a different length belt since the pulley is smaller than the 02-07. i did this to my 08.

eticketjk · 2013-01-19, 11:50 AM

I realize this is an old forum post but I just found out last weekend about this when doing a tune-up to my 08 impy. Has anyone purchased the stretcher from gates that could be leased or borrowed (beer or whatever) so I can do this and save the 100$? I bought the belt already for a large discount. Don't want to spend the $30 online if I can find something locally. Thanks

2011-06-09, 05:43 PM	#1
Emboyoyo EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 259 Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Class: Novice	A/C belt Okay so I've tried everything to get my A/C belt on my car and it just won't go on.... Is tree anything I can do to get it on without tearing up every belt?!?!

2011-06-09, 05:46 PM	#2
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	With the idler/adjuster loosened, it should be an easy slip on with the right length belt. If you have not loosened the idler, make sure you loosen the bolt through the idler before turning the adjuster bolt. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2011-06-10, 01:50 PM	#5
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	What Nick said: it's a stretch belt now, and a huge PITA ass to install. I think you pretty much have to have the special tool. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2011-06-10, 02:08 PM	#11
KSpeed Auto EJ22 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 220 Coney Island Drive in Sparks, NV Posts: 104	Gates #91030 Micro-V Stretch Fit Installation Tool is available online for less than $15 shipped. Locally O'Reilly has them in stock for $15.99. But don't tell my boss I told you. Oh wait... I am my boss! Matt __________________ KSpeed Automotive 220 Coney Island Dr. Sparks, NV 89431 775-284-1011 kspeedauto@gmail.com Check us out on Yelp.

2011-06-10, 02:19 PM	#13
KSpeed Auto EJ22 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 220 Coney Island Drive in Sparks, NV Posts: 104	Oops, just found out that we also need Gates #91031 Subaru Installation tool for Micro-V Stretch Fit Belts. Yay, Subaru! http://gates.com/stretchfit/ We have them both. __________________ KSpeed Automotive 220 Coney Island Dr. Sparks, NV 89431 775-284-1011 kspeedauto@gmail.com Check us out on Yelp.

2011-06-09, 05:49 PM	#3
Emboyoyo EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 259 Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Class: Novice	The idler is completey down and there is no adjuster bolt... We've tried everything!! :/

2011-06-09, 06:59 PM	#4
WRX06TR EJ251 Real Name: Nick P Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Reno Posts: 881 Car: 2005 STi Class: MadtyteTunerBro! Back to the studio!	The 08 Impreza lost the tensioner pulley. Instead they use a stretch belt. From what I can gather online, you can loosen the AC compressor and then use the provided tool (or a screwdriver) to stretch the belt onto the pulley.

2011-06-10, 01:51 PM	#6
Emboyoyo EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 259 Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Class: Novice	Figured out the problem..... Have to buy a special belt that stretches.... $106 belt!!

2011-06-10, 01:57 PM	#9
Emboyoyo EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 259 Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Class: Novice	Yeah but then they changed it back to the old way on the 2010's and up!!

2011-06-10, 02:18 PM	#12
Emboyoyo EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 259 Car: 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Class: Novice	I already got the tools... one of my friends gave me them for free

2011-06-13, 10:46 PM	#15
08awsti EJ18 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: reno Posts: 57 Car: 2008 STI	the 08+ still has the bracket to run the older style tensioner. just need the tensioner and a different length belt since the pulley is smaller than the 02-07. i did this to my 08.

2013-01-19, 11:50 AM	#16
eticketjk n00b Real Name: Benjamin Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Reno Posts: 1 Car: 08 Imp 2.5i	I realize this is an old forum post but I just found out last weekend about this when doing a tune-up to my 08 impy. Has anyone purchased the stretcher from gates that could be leased or borrowed (beer or whatever) so I can do this and save the 100$? I bought the belt already for a large discount. Don't want to spend the $30 online if I can find something locally. Thanks

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