It came time to see if I could loosen the serpentine belt and replace
the alternator. (Serpentine belts are new to me, never worked on one
before, so I'm learning.)

Oops!

The $20 long handle bar (serpentine belt tool) that I'd bought at Pep Boys was useless. From what I'd read, I thought this was a 'necessary'.

No.

When the removal tool was inserted in the belt tensioner from tje topside
tjere was too many things interfering, no way to move the tool enough to
loosen the belt. The special bar was also too long for working from the
bottom side.

(It could be that my particular Cavalier model is encumbered, and the
long bar DOES work on other models. Mine is a 2002 with 2.2L I4 OHV,
4speed automatic.)

Solution was - Put the car on ramps, have a friend slide underneath and
use an ordinary 3/8" ratchet to lever the tensioner. So, it was a two-man
job to remove and replace the alternator.

I use 2 open end wrenches, one acts as an "extension"

Kardain wrote:I use 2 open end wrenches, one acts as an "extension"

x2, but mines even easier, being a 96. i can use a single 15mm wrench



JBO Stickers! Get yours today!

"2 open end wrenches, one acts as an 'extension'" .............

Also, a 12" length of 1/2 " ordinary pipe makes an excellent
cheater exetnsion to carry aboard....that and a '5/8 " socket
comprise a 'lug wrench' much superior to GMs.....

2002 2.2s set up a little differen than the 'earlier' ones from the 90s. Tension pulley kit I got from somewhere has a short (1/3 of the main bar) bar so that you can have a angled bar for get-around access. Also got a few sockets to use on other pulleys.