The 1997 Chrysler Sebring has two different belts that operate the alternator, power steering pump and the air conditioner pump. The belts must be put on the proper way, or else cause damage to the engine by turning the components the wrong way. The belt replacing process on the 1997 Sebring is different than on other Sebring models.
Remove the plastic cover under the front part of the engine with a screwdriver and a ratchet and socket to access the bottom pulleys.
Pop the hood and locate the belt routing diagram on the top of the fan shroud. If there is no belt diagram, take a pen and notepad and draw out the exact routing order of the belt on the pulleys and the idlers; the belts must go back on the same way they come off.
Locate the power steering pump pulley on the left side of the engine. The belt on the power steering pump pulley is routed to the crankshaft. There is an adjustment bracket connected to the top of the power steering pump, a pivot bolt on top of the power steering bracket and a locking bolt on the bottom of the power steering bracket. Loosen both bolts just enough for the power steering pump to move. Put the 1/2-inch breaker bar into the square hole on the lower right side of the power steering bracket. Turn the breaker bar clockwise to move the power steering pump over enough for you to slide the belt off. Remove the belt.
Locate the alternator on the right side of the engine. This belt routes around the alternator pulley and the air conditioner pump pulley. You will see a idler pulley under the alternator with an adjustment bracket on the pulley. Loosen the bolt in the center of the idler pulley. Locate the adjustment bolt at the end of the adjustment bracket. Turn this bolt counterclockwise to loosen the tension for the alternator and the air conditioner compressor. Slide the belt off the pulleys and remove the belt.
Slide the new belt over the alternator pulley, the air conditioner pulley, the back side of the crankshaft pulley and the idler pulley. Turn the idler pulley adjustment bolt until the belt is tight on the alternator and the air conditioner pulley. Tighten the bolt in the center of the idler pulley. (The recommended belt tension on this belt is 30 to 60 ft-lbs. The recommended center bolt torque on the idler pulley is 40 ft-lbs.)
Slide the other new pulley over the power steering pump pulley, the crankshaft pulley and the idler pulley. Put the 1/2-inch breaker bar and move the power steering pump back over so that the you can screw the pivot bolt back in the top of the power steering pump bracket on the top and the locking bolt on the bottom of the power steering bracket. Tighten the pivot bolt and the bottom locking bolt down very tight. (The recommended torque on both power steering bolts is 30 to 60 ft-lbs.
Remove all the tools and crank the engine. Inspect the belts to make sure that each of the belts is seated into the pulleys on all of the components. Turn the engine off and recheck the belt tension on both belts. Replace the bottom plastic cover on the bottom of the engine compartment.
