# 2006 Impala Serpentine Belt/tension pully

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2006-impala-serpentine-belt-tension-pully/69478>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, impala\
**Created:** [November 13, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2006-impala-serpentine-belt-tension-pully/69478 "2011-11-13T18:20:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TheImpalaKid2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@TheImpalaKid2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheImpalaKid2)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2006-impala-serpentine-belt-tension-pully/69478/1 "2011-11-13T18:20:57Z")

</div>

My belt came undone the other day, and was able to put it back on by loosening the bolt that connects the tension pulley to the engine. I am pretty sure this was not the way to do it, but i could not move the thing otherwise. Does anyone know how to properly tighten this belt? Also, can an old belt be the problem also?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2006-impala-serpentine-belt-tension-pully/69478/2 "2011-11-13T18:35:58Z")

</div>

The belt is properly tensioned by the automatic tensioner. Loosening the tensioner, as you guess, is absolutely not the right way to do it.

The tensioner has a 3/8" square in it at the center of the pulley. You put a 3/8" ratchet in there and rotate the whole mechanism while you slip the belt on. The bolted on part is a giant spring which provides the tension.

The real thing you need to figure out is why the belt came off to begin with.