Belt Installation Tool: Types and Uses
A belt installation tool releases a spring-loaded tensioner so a serpentine belt comes off and goes back on without a fight.
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A serpentine belt change starts under the hood, with the tensioner buried in a tight engine compartment and the belt looped around the pulleys, and the fix starts with a belt installation tool: a ratcheting wrench and socket set that releases the spring-loaded tensioner so the old belt comes off and the new one goes on. The tool holds the tensioner back against its spring while you work the belt. This guide compares serpentine belt kits for sockets, reach and warranty, and sets out what each listing states.
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Below: how the tool works, what each kit includes, what to check, and 4 kits to compare.
DURATECH 15-Piece Universal Ratcheting Serpentine
A 15-piece universal ratcheting serpentine belt tool set in carbon steel with a blackened finish, a 14-inch extension bar, a 9-inch ratchet wrench and a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- 2-year manufacturer warranty stated
- Carbon steel with a blackened surface treatment for corrosion resistance
- 14-inch extension bar and 9-inch ratchet wrench for tight compartments
- Organized case for storage and carrying
Cons
- No socket sizes stated
- No weight stated
- No crowfoot wrench sizes stated
- No adapter sizes stated
Kbiykuy 11-Piece Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool
An 11-piece serpentine belt tensioner tool kit with a long ratcheting wrench, 15, 16 and 18 mm sockets and 13, 14 and 15 mm crowfoot attachments, with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Exact socket and crowfoot sizes stated: 15, 16 and 18 mm sockets; 13, 14 and 15 mm crowfoot
- Long ratcheting wrench adds reach and leverage for spring-loaded tensioners
- Slim ratcheting design reaches recessed tensioner pulleys
- 1-year warranty stated
Cons
- 11 pieces, fewer than the 15-piece sets here
- No extension bar length stated
- No weight stated
- The 13 mm piece is a wrench attachment, not a socket
BILITOOLS 15-Piece Universal Ratcheting Serpentine
A 15-piece universal ratcheting serpentine belt tool set with 13 to 19 mm sockets, 13, 14 and 15 mm crowfoot wrenches and a 14-inch extension arm.
Pros
- Sockets listed from 13 mm to 19 mm, with 3 crowfoot wrenches and 3 adapters
- 14-inch extension arm for hard-to-reach tensioners
- Ratcheting wrench with 19 mm and 7/8-inch drive
- Weight stated at 4.0 lb
Cons
- Listing says eight low-profile sockets but lists 7 socket sizes
- No warranty term is stated
- No storage case stated
- No dimensions stated
Crizendo 15PCS Serpentine Belt Tool Kit for Belt
A 15-piece serpentine belt tool kit in chrome-vanadium steel with 13 to 19 mm sockets, a 14-inch extension bar, a 9-inch ratcheting wrench and a blow-molded case.
Pros
- Chrome-vanadium steel for strength and hardness
- 7 sockets, 3 crowfoot wrenches and 3 adapters
- 14-inch extension bar and 9-inch ratcheting wrench for tight compartments
- Blow-molded case with engraved sizes for quick identification
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No weight stated
- No dimensions stated
- Individual socket sizes are not listed, only the 13 to 19 mm range
How does a belt installation tool work?
A belt installation tool is a ratcheting wrench with sockets and adapters that fits the tensioner pulley and holds it back against its spring, so the belt goes slack and lifts off the pulleys. The listings here describe the same job: BILITOOLS calls its set a tool for removing or installing the serpentine belt on vehicles with a spring-loaded belt tensioner pulley, and DURATECH and Crizendo describe their kits the same way. Kbiykuy says its slim ratcheting design reduces repeated repositioning.
What each kit includes
The kits differ in what they pack. BILITOOLS lists 7 sockets from 13 mm to 19 mm, 3 crowfoot wrenches and 3 square adapters in 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 inch, with a 14-inch extension arm and a ratcheting wrench with a 19 mm and 7/8-inch drive. DURATECH lists a 14-inch extension bar and a 9-inch ratchet wrench in a 15-piece set, with no socket sizes stated. Kbiykuy lists 3 sockets in 15, 16 and 18 mm and 3 crowfoot attachments in 13, 14 and 15 mm in an 11-piece set; the 13 mm piece is a wrench attachment, not a socket. Crizendo lists 7 sockets, 3 crowfoot wrenches and 3 adapters in a 15-piece set, with a 14-inch extension bar and a 9-inch ratcheting wrench.
What to check before you buy
BILITOOLS and Crizendo list sockets from 13 mm to 19 mm, while Kbiykuy lists 15, 16 and 18 mm sockets with 13, 14 and 15 mm crowfoot attachments. The tensioner size varies by vehicle, so check the tensioner size and clearance before purchase, as the Kbiykuy listing states. BILITOOLS, DURATECH and Crizendo list a 14-inch extension bar for hard-to-reach tensioners, and BILITOOLS lists low-profile sockets that help fit into tight spots. DURATECH packs its kit in an organized case, and Crizendo packs its set in a durable blow-molded case with engraved sizes.
Belt installation tools to compare
The tensioner is the step that needs the tool, so these 4 kits cover the sockets and reach for the job, with cased storage on two of them.
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FAQ: garage tools
What size socket do I need for a belt tensioner?
Match the socket to the tensioner on your vehicle. BILITOOLS and Crizendo list sockets from 13 mm to 19 mm, and Kbiykuy lists 15, 16 and 18 mm sockets with 13, 14 and 15 mm crowfoot attachments.
Do I need an extension bar to change a serpentine belt?
A 14-inch extension bar helps where the tensioner is hard to reach: BILITOOLS, DURATECH and Crizendo list one, and DURATECH and Crizendo list a 9-inch ratchet wrench for tight compartments. Check the tensioner size and clearance before purchase.
How long is the warranty on these belt tool kits?
DURATECH states a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and Kbiykuy states a 1-year warranty. BILITOOLS and Crizendo state no warranty term.
Do these kits work on any vehicle?
BILITOOLS and DURATECH call their sets universal, but the socket sizes differ across the kits: BILITOOLS and Crizendo list 13 to 19 mm, while Kbiykuy lists 15, 16 and 18 mm. Check the tensioner size and clearance before purchase.
Related: our engine and shop equipment hub, the best serpentine belt tool for home mechanics and the V-belt measurement tool.
