I was driving yesterday and my power steering went out and i had alot of trouble steering the car. I managed to pull over to the side in a parking spot where i wouldnt be in trouble. I checked under my hood and I realized my serpentine belt came off! And the idler pulley was broken, like it seems to be hanging on by one bolt! I couldnt get in too much because the car was hot. I left it there n walked n took a bus home. I'm going back to it today.

I have to figure out what to do now. Do I need to have the engine lifted to replace the idler pulley? I know for the tensioner, but for the idler? The belt is brand new, and its in fine condition. Its a sunday right now, all the mechanic shops are closed. And I have work mon- fri. So if I need to tow it, then please let me know. otherwise I'll fix it myself. I just need instruction for some schematics on the replacement and I have the tools. I just cant find any service instructions for the idler pulley online here. It keeps giving me owners manuals. PLEASE HELP!

Also, its a 1998 Chevy Malibu LS. I forgot to mention. The battery light came on the dash. But the car kept driving, its just the power steering that went out, it made me think of a few things it could be.

If i need to tow it i'll send it back to my apt. I can get a lift from a friend. I cant afford to pay out of my soul to get this fixed. Mechanics around here in the city will charge you an arm,leg,head,etc to fix stuff. So any help would be appreciated

I am assuming you have either the 3.1 or 3.4L. You shouldn't need to support the engine to replace it since the belt is good. Should be a 3/8 drive hole on the tensioner and either a 13MM or 15MM for the idler pulley bolt. A serpentine belt tool would make things easier than the 3/8 drive ratchet for moving the tensioner if you have one. Check the other pulleys while you are in there to make sure there aren't any others that are bad. I wasn't able to find any schematics, sorry.

Edit: batt. light came on since the alternator wasn't spinning, the car was running only off the batt. and the computer didn't see any charging voltage.

You have a '98, yet this is the '08+ section....

Please make sure your posting in the correct section.

MOVING.

yes put a jack under the oil pan, but put like a piece of wood on there so as not to cause damage and hold up the engine with the jack, now you can take the motor mount by the pullies on passanger side off to get new belt on. dont lift the whole car from under the pan, just hold the engine up