Serpentine Belt Replacement Service
Schedule an Appointment and Avoid Trouble
The drive belt is a critical part of what makes your car go. If you let your drive belt become too worn, it may leave you in the dust when you least expect it. Improve your vehicle’s performance and keep yourself on the road by having your drive belt inspected, and if needed, replaced.
Don’t let your belt replacement get in the way of your day; we have complimentary loaner cars available! Schedule an appointment or stop in and see us today.
Request a Belt Check
Alexander’s Import Auto Repair did an amazing job with my car. They provided great customer service – even setting me up with a complimentary loaner car so I didn’t have to miss any work.
Griffin R
Minneapolis Drive Belt Replacement
The belt is a very important part of your car. There are a few different names for the belt: drive belt, serpentine belt, or V-belt. None of these are to be confused with the timing belt, which serves a different purpose.
How Drive Belts Work
When the engine is running the crankshaft spins which spins the drive belt(s). The belt then spins the power steering pump, alternator, and air conditioning compressor. The belt is held tight to these components with idlers and tensioners. If the belt is loose it will not efficiently spin these parts and they will not function well. Most modern cars have only one belt so if it breaks you will lose power steering, air conditioning, and the alternator. The alternator charges the battery, without the alternator the car will die.
Drive Belt Replacement
The drive belts are replaced on an as needed basis, but generally require replacement about every 60,000 miles.
Ignoring this maintenance will sooner or later leave you stranded. If your drive belt breaks, the alternator will not charge the battery and your car will die shortly thereafter. If the timing belt breaks the engine will not run and may cause engine damage that would require expensive repairs.
There is also the less severe possibility that a worn belt will begin to make noise, usually a “squeak” or “squeal” on startup, when running, or when turning. This noise indicates the belt is slipping. This will cause accelerated wear on the belt and may cause the belt-driven components (alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor) to not operate a full efficiency.
How We Replace Your Drive Belt
When inspecting a drive belt we check for cracks or fraying. We also check for glossy spots which will not grip well to the pulleys. These are all indications that the belt is worn and needs to be replaced. Every manufacturer routes the drive belts differently.
We remove the belt after noting how it’s routed. We then install and tighten the new belt. Finally, we re-check the belt to confirm there are no noises present and the systems are functioning properly.
Belt Replacement with Professional Service
When you bring your car to Alexander’s for a drive belt replacement, you won’t have to worry about it turning into a day-long project. We’ve replaced thousands of belts in every possible configuration. We have access to the original equipment and parts needed to return your drive belt system to perfect running order. We’ve invested in the special tools required to replace belts on a variety of cars.
Schedule an appointment or stop in today to get your drive belt system running like new!
