How to replace missing belt on Kia Spectra... any tips?

I’m dealing with a missing belt on my Kia Spectra. It was the one that goes around the water pump and alternator. Before it broke, there were some squealing noises, and now the belt is completely gone. There’s another belt still on, but I’m not sure if I need to remove it to install the new one. Anyone know how to replace this properly?

First, check to make sure all the pulleys are aligned and can spin freely. If a pulley was seized, that could have caused the squealing and the belt to break.

James said:
First, check to make sure all the pulleys are aligned and can spin freely. If a pulley was seized, that could have caused the squealing and the belt to break.

I’ve checked them, and they seem to move freely. Still not sure how to install the new belt though.

If the other belt doesn’t get in the way, you won’t need to remove it. But if it’s in front of the alternator belt, you’ll need to take it off first. Make sure to loosen the tensioner and adjust it correctly when putting the new belt on.

@Lisa
Got it, I’ll check how the other belt is positioned. Thanks.

To adjust the tension, make sure you can’t flip the belt over more than half a twist. If it squeals after installation, you might need to tighten it a bit more. You can use a tensioning tool if you want to be precise.

@Princeton
Sounds simple enough. I’ll keep that in mind when I get it installed.

If you’re trying to remove the power steering belt, you’ll need to release the lock on the pulley and then loosen the bolt on the slide underneath. It’s a 14mm bolt, and accessing it from below makes it easier.

@Dexter
Thanks, that was one of the parts I was struggling with. I’ll give it a try.

JohnC0717 shared a video that shows how to check the belt tension. You might find it useful.

KiaZilla said:
JohnC0717 shared a video that shows how to check the belt tension. You might find it useful.

Perfect, I’ll take a look at the video. Appreciate the help!