My 2006 HHR has 101000 miles and so I decided to replace the serpentine belt.
The clearance between the tensioner and the frame is so tight I had to grind a 3/8 drive breaker bar down to a low profile tool.
I would like to thank db/sb for the serpentine tool idea with the hook on the end, it made it easy for a one man job.

 

Welcome man...

fwiw: Look for the proper category for your posts.. You may consider this front page news, but our moderator may not & possibly re-locate it..

 

Welcome aboard Kliinski, glad you found useful info here!

 

Could have gone to Advance/Zone/Pep and bought/borrowed the "serpentine belt tool".

 

Thanks, but when it came time to change the belt on the HHR, the tool I pictured in that thread was too big. So I came up with this one. This is an under $14 tool from Harbor Frieght with the handle shortened. Still has the hook however.

 

And still available as a loaner from the local auto parts house. Add your own hook, the hole is there.


But, now that I actually tried the "loaner", I find that it does not work! At least in my case the square 3/8 adapter needs to be on an angle, not square to the shaft. Or, have a second small shaft with a 3/8 square on it. The 1 I got had an extension with a female 3/8 and a male 1/2. The correct tool would have a long handle with a 3/8 male and a short adapter with a "star"(adjustable angle) 3/8 female on one end and a 3/8 male on the other.