96 Legacy Outback 2.5. Wondering if anyone knows the proper length of the Alternator/PS belt? I picked up what I'm sure to be the corect one (prestone 345k-5) belt and my mechanic tells me this is too short. (It seems to be about 1/2" longer then the one that came off. The one that came off was a Mitsuboshi 5pk877. Is there something my mechanic could be doing wrong when trying to put the belt on and therefor thinks it's too short when infact it's the right size? He doesn't normally work on subaru's

just make sure the adjusting bolt is all the way loose...Ive had hell with aftermarket belts for my legacy and my wrx i would go OEM...there not much more expensive at all than like NAPA or advance auto...i think we charge 16.74 for the alt belt...and your insured its the correct size...

just make sure the adjusting bolt is all the way loose...Ive had hell with aftermarket belts for my legacy and my wrx i would go OEM...there not much more expensive at all than like NAPA or advance auto...i think we charge 16.74 for the alt belt...and your insured its the correct size...[/quote

 

Thanks for the info, parts prices from Canadian dealers are too high, I always buy from the US, but ofourse for small parts like this it's not worth the wait. Belt from the dealer here is $42, where I can order it from a few subaru dealers in the US online for about $10.

I also just realized the belt that came off 877 means 877mm, and the 345 in the belt I bought means 34.5 Inches, which is basically the same, 877mm = 34.52 inches, so my mechanic has to be doing something wrong.

Edited July 1, 200916 yr by dbullen

I was going to say...most of these belts are interchangeable even if they technically arent the right one... unless of course where talking about the AC belt which changed length when subaru changed to the scroll compressor around 2005...

The Alternator belt is a tight one to get on. Sometimes I cheat when installing an engine and put it around the PS pump before I tighten down the pump. I have tried a longer belt and it's too long. I do get one 5mm (or whatever) shorter for the AC compressor. A stock replacement belt almost bottoms out on the tensioner.

 

I just finished a 95 LSi today and had to walk the belt on the PS pump by turning it by the crank bolt(I have the rad fans out).

On my '97 I have no problem with the alt/ps belt just loosen the alternator all the way (almost) and it'll slip right on at least mine does