OEM Dodge Ram 3500 Van Drive Belt

Dodge Ram 3500 Van Drive Belt Parts and Q&A

• Serpentine Belt
  53010305AC
  Q: How are the accessory drive components operated and what is the process for removing and installing the serpentine drive belt on Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A:

  The single accessory drive belt is controlled by the crankshaft and the belt tension is kept correct automatically by an adjusting mechanism. Place a socket/wrench onto the automatic tensioner's bolt, turn the tensioner counterclockwise and when the pressure on the belt is gone, remove it from the pulley. Remove the belt from the idler pulley and then remove the whole assembly from your car. Let the serpentine accessory drive belt be correctly placed for smooth water pump movement and to stop the engine from overheating. Use the instructions from the routing diagrams and if the Belt Routing Label in the engine compartment conflicts with them, go by the label. Make sure the drive belt is across all pulleys, excluding the one between the generator and A/C compressor, the idler pulley. Attach the socket/wrench to the pulley bolt of the tensioner, rotate clockwise, set the belt above the idler pulley and release as the tensioner rotates back in, making the belt sit properly on every pulley. Note where the indexing arrow and indexing mark are found on the belt and the tensioner. A new belt should be fitted with the arrow placed within approximately 3 mm (1/8 inch) of the indexing mark. After 15 minutes or less of use, a belt is still considered a new belt. If you don't meet this requirement, inspect for a wrong belt on your engine, worn-out bearings on your engine accessories, loose pulleys, engine accessories not lined up properly or incorrect belt routing. A worn belt should be exchanged if the belt tensioner's indexing arrow is past position A.
• Serpentine Belt
  53010306AC
  Q: How to service and repair the drive belt on Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A:

  First, be aware that the schematics for drive belt routing are based on the most current information; if they do not match the label in the engine compartment, also use the label. A spring-loaded automatic belt tensioner is built into many cars, so never check its tension by using a tension gauge. First, fit a socket/wrench onto the bolt on the pulley of the automatic tensioner and rotate the tensioner assembly clockwise to let the belt go loose. Taking the belt from the idler pulley first, remove it from the vehicle. While placing the accessory drive belt on your car, be sure to position it properly or the wrong rotation of the water pump could cause your engine to overheat; see the correct figures to understand the proper placement. Cover all pulleys but the idler pulley with the drive belt; the idler pulley is in the middle between the A/C compressor and generator. Once more, join a socket/wrench to the automatic tensioner bolt and turn the pulley clockwise, guiding the belt onto the idler pulley. After the tensioner moves back into position, take out the wrench to check that the belt sits correctly on all pulleys. Always look for the big and small indexing marks on the belt.