i was hoping i could get information on how to change the alternator and a/c belts on my 96obw with the 2.2L. i am a shade tree mechanic at best but want to do the work myself. i have the bolts soaking with pb blaster and hope to do the job after dinner. please help if possible. rox

its a pretty easy job...i myself have a 96 legacy with a 2.2 and its prob. the easiest alt. i have ever done (i got a job at work today for an alt. on a 89 prelude and lets just say..... thats why i have a subaru) anyways enough of me babbling on.....if you do get the chance i would pick up a haynes manual, its one of the easiest ways to learn new things....and there only like $20......or im not to sure but maybe this site may be some help.... http://www.endwrench.com .... do a search in the archives section......

very easy.

 

take note of the belt tension before loosening and try and get it back to about the same when you reinstall.

 

loosen tensioner pulley face bolt first before loosening it....have to free it up so it moves.

 

alt is easy - remove bolts holding it in - unplug - replace. sometimes the new one takes some persuading to get on over the ears, but real easy.

If I read your post right, and your just changing the belts not replacing the alternator, there is no reason to remove the alternator bolts, just loosen them so it moves freely.

sometimes the new one takes some persuading to get on over the ears, but real easy.

 

some persuading, i should say so... I just did mine (bought the belts back in January or so) and almost thought I had picked up the wrong belts-do they shrink if you don't put them on right away or what?

 

Anyway, the only way to get them on was crank the motor while they were partially over the a/c and p/s pulleys. weird, just weird.:-\

 

I also had to replace the a/c tensioner pulley (don't forget to ask for the new bolt for the new pulley design)