David_Jennings
10-13-2003, 15:47
In a burst of responsible ownership, I attempted to replace my serpentine belt on my 99 K2500 6.5 before it really needed replacing. It took two minutes to remove, and five hours (so far) to replace. The problem is with the tensioner itself: the bolt stripped. I can't see how they don't all strip, what with instructions to use a breaker bar on a 13mm bolt tapped into aluminum. I tried through-bolting with a longer bolt, but I stripped the nut I put on the other side before I could get it tight enough to hold. The whole design seems flawed: why design something that small that must be turned counter-clockwise with that much leverage? Still, when I called a local mechanic, he said he had never seen one strip out like mine. Any adivce on this weak link? Even with a new part, I can't see it holding up. Thanks.