Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1017

spring within the tensioner assembly breaks or some other mechanical part of the tensioner fails, there is no 
need to check tensioners for proper tension. 

The only mechanical check that need be made, if you have any doubt about the tensioner function, would be to 
remove the belt in the area of the tensioner, to avoid belt contact, then using the proper tool, rotate the tensioner 
from its relaxed position through its full stroke and back to the relaxed position to assure that there is no "stick, 
grab, bind," and to assure that there is tension on the spring. It is a normal condition for the tensioner to be 
moving, under certain conditions, when the engine is running. If the tensioner meets these criteria, it should be 
assumed to be a good tensioner. 

Drive Belt Misalignment 

Non-standard replacement drive belts may track differently or improperly. If a replacement drive belt tracks 
improperly, install a new drive belt to avoid performance failure or loss of belt.

CAUTION: Incorrect drive belt installation will cause excessive drive belt wear and 

may cause the drive belt to come off the drive pulleys.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Accessory Drive - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 14: Identifying Correct Drive Belt Rides Over Pulley 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

With the engine running, check drive belt tracking. If the (A) edge of the drive belt rides beyond the edge of the 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Accessory Drive - F150 Pickup

  

pulleys, noise and premature wear may occur. Make sure the (B) drive belt rides correctly on the pulley. If a 
drive belt tracking condition exists, proceed with the following: 

Visually check the drive belt tensioner for damage, especially the mounting pad surface. If the drive belt 
tensioner is not installed correctly, the mounting surface pad will be out of position. This will result in chirp and 
squeal noises.  

z

With the engine running, visually observe the grooves in the pulleys (not the pulley flanges or pulley 
front surfaces) for excessive wobble. INSTALL new components if necessary.  

z

Check all accessories, mounting brackets and the drive belt tensioner for any interference that would 
prevent the component from mounting properly. Correct any interference condition and recheck belt 
tracking.  

z

Tighten all accessories, mounting brackets, and drive belt tensioner retaining hardware to specification. 
Recheck the drive belt tracking.  

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 

BELT - 4.2L 

Removal & Installation 

1. Rotate the tensioner counterclockwise and remove the drive belt. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Accessory Drive - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 15: Removing Drive Belt - 4.2L 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

2. To install, reverse the removal procedure.  

BELT - 4.6L & 5.4L WITH A/C 

Removal & Installation 

1. Rotate the tensioner clockwise and remove the drive belt. 

NOTE:

Refer to COMPONENT LOCATIONS - 4.2L for correct drive belt routing.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Accessory Drive - F150 Pickup