serpentine belt replacement

The Dodge Ram pickup truck is manufactured with a serpentine drive belt system that rotates the alternator, A/C compressor, power steering pump, and in some cases, the front fan. An average backyard mechanic can change the drive belt in a Dodge Ram in about 15 minutes. things you'll need: Socket set Screwdrivers Crowbar 1 Press firmly on the tension pulley, relaxing the serpentine belt. 2 Move the belt off of the top idle pulley, between the alternator and the A/C compressor, if applicable. The pulley is flat, and touches the smooth side of the belt, so relieving the pressure will loosen the belt enough to slide it off. 3 Work the slack belt around the other pulleys, remembering the belt path. The belt has grooved and flat sides, and all pulleys move in the same direction, so the path is important for proper operation. 4 Remove the belt from the engine bay by sliding it over the engine fan and out of the truck. 5 Replace the belt with a new unit by sliding it over the fan, into the engine area, then wrapping it around the main crank pulley first. This is the large pulley in the center of the engine. Any pulleys that require friction will meet the belt on the grooved side, any that do not will be flat. 6 Working around the pulleys, slide the belt back onto them in this order: the water pump, power steering pump, air pump, A/C compressor, alternator and then the belt tension pulley. The top idle pulley is last, as the belt will not have enough slack to reach it. 7 Press firmly on the tension pulley and slide the belt onto the top idle pulley. Release the tension pulley to tighten the belt. Check all belt connections for all pulleys, then crank the truck to check the work