How to Replace the Serpentine Belt in a Ford Focus

The Ford Focus generally has a dedicated drive belt, sometimes called the serpentine belt, that drives the alternator, power steering, and air conditioning compressor. Ford recommends checking this belt every 6,000 miles or 6 months for possible replacement. This guide covers the newer Ford Focus models from 2000-2005. Check your owner's documentation for specific tools, methods and systems for your model year.

Instructions

1

Jack up the front of the vehicle and support it on jack stands. Use a wrench to remove two bolts and take off the drive belt lower cover.

2

Note belt routing and make a sketch for your reference if you don't have a belt routing diagram from the manufacturer.

3

Find the belt tensioner pulley. Use your wrench to rotate the tensioner pulley by pulling clockwise on a bolt in the center of the pulley. Slip the old belt off of the tensioner pulley.

4

Release the belt tensioner. Slip the belt off of the pulleys and install the new belt according to your routing diagram.

5

Rotate the tensioner again to allow the new belt to slip over the tensioner pulley. Release the tensioner again. Replace the drive belt lower cover and lower the vehicle.