Hey guys I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Gt.
base 3800 V-6. My Grand Prix has 55,000 original
miles. My buddy thinks I need to put on a new
serpentine belt. Do you think after 55k its a
good time to change the belt? Is this a difficult
job? What are the steps? The local dealership wants a 100 dollars for the belt and labor.
Is this difficult to change?

If the ribs are missing sections it's time to change.

Very easy to DIY. Pick up a serpantine belt tool when you buy your belt.

Put the tool on the tensioner pulley and use it to relieve the tension on the belt (can't remember if it's push or pull)slip the old belt off. Route new belt around the pulleys as shown on the sticker on strut tower. I prefer to route it over the tensioner leaving the water pump pulley for last. It's a smooth pulley and will allow the belt to slip on easily while holding the tension off on the tensioner.

haha, wish I had known there was a tool for the tensioner. I gave up on my wife's cavalier because my wrench wouldn't cut it, just not enough leverage/surface area to grip.

Belt tensioner tool is nice to have, but not necessary.... You can use a wrench or socket.... 14mm I think.... Maybe 13mm. It's just easier with the proper tool as it gives more leverage to push the tensioner to it's max.

As Herc said, it's very easy. Just take your time and pay attention to the diagragm that is stickered in your engine bay. Make sure you're wrapped around each ribbed pulley as you should be. An extra pair of hands may be helpful to hold the belt in place around a couple of pulleys while you position the it around others.

Cool. Thank for tip. I'm about ask same question as him in future. Mine is really old but no ribs missing. I have 106K on this belt but owner book said change it every 150K. I have 44K left to change it.

Changing the belts is VERY easy. It takes about 2 minutes. I'm not sure what the belt removal tool is, but if you use a 15mm socket and a breaker bar its easy. If you have the gtp its gonna seem a bit weird because one of the tensioners turns backwards.

The tool is way much easier to use then a socket and breaker bar. One reason is they are much slimmer and fit into tight spaces where a socket wont.

Is it a tighter space on a GT?

Yeah that was my problem, on the cavalier there is no room for a socket, the tensioner is right up against the sidewall. It really did require a specially bent tool. Good to know I can buy one rather than have to bend it myself.

Here's one version of the belt tool: KD Tools (KD 3414) Serpentine Belt Tool I have one with 13, 14, & 15mm 12 point socket holes in the lever arm, for tight spots where a socket won't work.

While you're at it, change the tensioners too.

Whats the average life of these belts in terms
of mileage?

I had over a 100k on both belts before an idler pulley grenaded shredding my accesory belt.

I've always just used a 13mm (I think) socket and a breaker bar, didn't know there was a tool for it.

When I called a dealer to get the price he said
55k and 7 years was long enough and that I should
change the belt. Maybe he just wanted to make a
quick buck.