How to Change a Drive Belt in a Toyota 4-Runner

by Jeffrey Caldwell

The drive belts on a Toyota 4-Runner connect to pulleys on the end of the crankshaft and power various engine accessories, such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor and power steering pump. Over time these drive belts may wear and begin to crack. The belts will also stretch over time and they will need to be tightened. Determining how much the belts have stretched is called measuring for belt deflection. The Toyota 4-Runner has been in production since 1984. Early models utilized a separate drive belt for each pulley, while later models starting in the late 80s to early 90s switched to a serpentine belt system.

Measuring Belt Deflection

Step 1

Place a straight edge or ruler across the two pulleys on the belt you wish to measure.

Step 2

Press your thumb down on the belt half way between the two pulleys.

Step 3

Measure the distance you can press down with your thumb. It should be between 3/8 and 1/2 inch.

Step 4

If the measurement is greater you must tighten the belt.

Alternator Belt

Step 1

Loosen the alternator belt adjusting bolt on the alternator, using a wrench. Slide the alternator towards the engine.

Step 2

Pull the belt off the pulleys.

Step 3

Slide a new belt over the alternator and crankshaft pulleys.

Step 4

Pull the alternator away from the engine.

Step 5

Tighten the alternator belt adjusting bolt, using a socket.

Step 6

Measure for deflection.

Step 7

Loosen the alternator adjusting bolt and slide the alternator away from the engine, if the deflection measurement is greater that 1/2 inch.

Step 8

Tighten the alternator adjusting bolt using a socket.

Air Conditioning Compressor Belt

Step 1

Loosen the air conditioning compressor adjusting bolt and slide the compressor toward the engine.

Step 2

Pull the drive belt off the pulleys.

Step 3

Slide the new belt onto the pulleys.

Step 4

Slide the A/C compressor away from the engine and tighten the adjusting bolt.

Step 5

Measure the drive belt for deflection.

Step 6

Loosen the A/C compressor adjusting bolt and slide the alternator away from the engine, if the deflection measurement is greater that 1/2 inch.

Step 7

Tighten the A/C compressor adjusting bolt.

Power Steering Pump Belt

Step 1

Loosen the power steering pump adjusting bolt and slide the pump towards the engine.

Step 2

Pull the drive belt off the pulleys.

Step 3

Slide the new drive belt over the pulleys.

Step 4

Push the power steering pump away from the engine and tighten the adjusting bolt.

Step 5

Measure for deflection

Step 6

Loosen the power steering adjusting bolt and slide the power steering pump away from the engine, if the deflection measurement is greater that 1/2 inch.