In 1999 Suzuki eliminated the Sidekick and introduced its replacement, the Grand Vitara. In 2006, Suzuki redesigned the Grand Vitara, giving it smoother lines. The 2006 Grand Vitara came standard with a 2.7-liter V-6 that produced 185 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque. As of 2011, Suzuki still sells the Grand Vitara in the U.S. The 2006 Vitara has two drive belts on the engine to run the accessories: air-conditioning, power steering, water pump and the alternator. Over time, these belts stretch out and need to be adjusted to prevent squealing.
On a cool engine, place your thumb on the water pump and alternator belt, between two pulleys, and press downward while holding a ruler against your thumb to measure the belt's movement. The belt should have from 0.35 to 0.39 inches of up and down movement. If the movement exceeds 0.39 inches, the belt requires tightening.
Locate the tensioner pulley, the one on the driver's side of the alternator. Loosen the bolt to the alternator side of the of the tensioner pulley, known as the pivot bolt, using a ratchet and socket.
Place a 6-inch pry bar under the tensioner pulley and loosen the locking bolt, the bolt in the slotted part of the pulley, using a ratchet and socket. Pry upward on the pulley to increase the tension of the belt. Tighten the pivot and locking bolt to 18 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket while holding tension on the pulley.
Repeat Step one to check the tension on the belt and repeat Step 3 as needed to adjust the tension until you achieve proper belt tension.
Place your thumb on the drive belt, between two pulleys. Press downward with about 22 lbs. of force while holding a ruler against your thumb to measure the belt's movement. The belt should have from 0.21 to 0.25 inches of play when the vehicle has air conditioning and 0.19 to 0.35 inches without air conditioning. If your thumb moves more than that, the belt needs to be adjusted.
Locate the tensioner pulley, the small pulley between the crankshaft pulley and the power steering pulley. Loosen the tensioner pulley pivot bolt, the bolt closest to the crankshaft pulley, by turning it 'clockwise' with a ratchet and socket -- this bolt is reverse threaded.
Insert a 6-inch pry bar under the tensioner pulley and loosen the tensioner pulley adjuster bolt, the one in the slotted part of the pulley, by turning it clockwise with a ratchet and socket -- this bolt is also reverse threaded.
Pry the pulley towards the belt to increase the tension on the belt and tighten the tensioner pulley bolts to 18 to 19 foot-pounds, by turning them counterclockwise with a torque wrench and socket while holding tension on the pulley.
Repeat Step 1 to check the tension on the belt and repeat Steps 2 through 4 to adjust the tension until you achieve proper belt tension.
