Hello,

Last night the drive belt (alternator belt) on my 03 Sti snapped. Typically it happened just far enough from home that the AA were needed, now i have a decision to make, as the AA guys have dropped my car off back at my house and the nearest subura dealer is 30 miles away the other side of London. Do I look for a local garage to take the car to and have them replace the belt, do i try to get the AA to get the car to the subaru dealer or do i look to replace the belt myself?

The subaru dealer reckons it's half an hour labour, which is just about the minimum they can charge so i figure the fix isnt difficult and to be honest having looked at the engine reckon i could do it unless specialist tools are required... that's if i can get the replacement part...

Any advice while i ponder this morning would be most appreciated...

Cheers

Andy

 

Replace the belt yourself - It's a really simple job.

There are 2 aux. belts on the front of the engine - Alternator/Power Steering and Air Con

To replace the A/C belt, you will first need to remove the alternator belt.

To the LHS of the alternator you will see the belt adjuster - It's a long M8 bolt with a 12mm head.

Loosen the pinch bolt for the adjuster, and the alternator securing bolt (on the RHS top of the alternator)
Back the adjuster bolt right out.
Remove what's left of the old belt, and refit and tension the new one.

If you need to replace the A/C belt, it's the same principal - undo the pinch bolt securing the idler pulley and loosen the tensioner.

HTH

 

Hiya,

Thanks this really does help. I had kind of decided to replace it myself and also had found this particularly helpful walkthrough

SubaruGirlies.com How-To Swap Subaru Drive Belts

anyway thanks again, makes me feel warm inside to know that there are still people out there who will help others and offer sound advice for free...