2016 Ram 1500 Serpentine Belt Guide: Routing & Replacement

"""""

Quick Answer: 2016 Ram 1500 Serpentine Belt Part Numbers

NOTE: The 2016 Ram 1500 was available with several engines, primarily the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the 5.7L HEMI V8. Part numbers vary significantly between them. The numbers below are for the common 5.7L HEMI. Always verify part numbers with your supplier using your truck's VIN before purchasing.

• Engine Application: 5.7L HEMI V8
• Belt Length: Approximately 92.5 inches
• Rib Count: 6-rib
• OEM Mopar Belt PN: 53032859AB
• Aftermarket Cross-References:
  • Gates: K060920
  • Dayco: 5060920
  • Continental: 4060920
• OEM Mopar Automatic Tensioner PN: 53032860AA
• OEM Mopar Idler Pulley PN: 53032858AA

Belt Routing

Properly routing the serpentine belt on your 2016 Ram 1500 is critical for the function of your engine's accessories. An incorrectly routed belt can cause damage or slip off the pulleys.

Before you do anything, take a clear photograph of the existing belt path with your phone. This will be an invaluable reference.

While a diagram is best, this text-based description for the 5.7L V8 follows the belt's path from the crankshaft. The "ribbed" side of the belt engages grooved pulleys, while the "smooth" back side of the belt rides on smooth pulleys.

1. Start at the Crankshaft Pulley (the large, main pulley at the bottom of the engine).
2. The ribbed side of the belt travels up to the A/C Compressor Pulley (grooved).
3. From the A/C compressor, the belt wraps down and around the Idler Pulley (smooth).
4. Next, the belt moves up to the Alternator Pulley (grooved).
5. The belt then travels over to the Power Steering Pump Pulley (grooved).
6. From there, it wraps down and around the Water Pump Pulley (smooth).
7. Finally, the belt goes under the Tensioner Pulley (smooth) before returning to the crankshaft pulley.

Double-check that the belt is perfectly centered on every pulley before starting the engine.

How to Replace the Serpentine Belt

Replacing the serpentine belt is a common maintenance item that can be done with basic tools. The key is the automatic belt tensioner, a spring-loaded component that maintains the correct tension on the belt.

Tool Required: You will need a serpentine belt tool or a long-handled 3/8" breaker bar.

1. Locate the Tensioner: The automatic tensioner is an assembly with a pulley that rides on the belt. The body of the tensioner has a square 3/8" drive hole built into it.
2. Release Tension: Insert your breaker bar or serpentine belt tool into this square hole. Rotate the tensioner assembly (typically clockwise on the 5.7L V8) to swing the pulley away from the belt. This will create slack in the system.
3. Remove the Old Belt: While holding the tensioner in the released position, use your other hand to slip the old belt off a smooth, easily accessible pulley, like the idler or alternator.
4. Install the New Belt: Following the routing path you photographed earlier, carefully thread the new belt around all the pulleys, saving a smooth, easy-to-reach pulley for last.
5. Apply Tension: Release the tension on the belt again with your tool and slip the belt over the final pulley. Once it's in place, slowly release the tensioner, allowing its spring to tighten the belt.
6. Final Check: Visually inspect the entire path of the belt one last time to ensure it is sitting correctly in the grooves of every pulley.

Replacement Interval

As a general rule, you should inspect the serpentine belt at every oil change for signs of wear. Most manufacturers and technicians recommend replacing the belt as a preventative measure every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Belts in hotter climates or on trucks used for heavy towing may have a shorter lifespan. It's often wise to replace the tensioner and idler pulleys at the same time as the belt, especially on higher-mileage vehicles.

Signs of a Failing Belt or Tensioner

Your truck will usually give you warning signs before a belt fails completely. Ignoring them can leave you stranded.

• Squealing or Chirping Noises: This is the most common sign. A high-pitched squeal upon startup, during hard acceleration, or when the A/C is turned on often points to a worn, glazed, or loose belt.
• Visible Wear: Look for cracks, fraying, missing ribs, or a "glazed" (shiny) appearance on the belt's surface.
• Vibrating or Bouncing Tensioner: If you see the tensioner pulley vibrating or jumping around while the engine is running, the spring inside the assembly is likely weak and failing to provide consistent tension.
• Accessory Problems: Since the belt drives everything from the alternator to the power steering pump, a failing belt can cause intermittent issues like dimming headlights, a dead battery, or stiff steering.

Keeping your serpentine belt and its related components in good condition is essential for the reliability of your Ram 1500.

Find a trusted shop on Repairius. """""", meta_title="2016 Ram 1500 Serpentine Belt Length, Routing, and Diagram", meta_description="Complete guide to the 2016 Ram 1500 serpentine belt. Find belt length, part numbers for 5.7L and 3.6L engines, routing diagrams, and replacement instructions.", tags=["2016 Ram 1500", "Serpentine Belt", "Belt Routing", "DIY", "Repair", "5.7L HEMI", "3.6L Pentastar"], subtitle="A complete guide to serpentine belt routing, part numbers, and replacement for the 2016 Ram 1500 with 3.6L and 5.7L engines.") ➞ "Function Call: default_api.publish_article(title=