I don't remember where I saw it, but someone suggested using a jack and a pipe to release the tension on the serpentine belt if you don't have the tool.

I used three 3/8" drive extensions and the jack and it was a piece of cake.

Removed the fender skirt.
Used a jack to release pressure on serpentine
Remove jack to replace belt
Re-jack to release tension
Install belt on alternator
release jack
reinstall skirt.

15 minutes max

Whoever posted this idea. Thanks for the tip!

 

I bought the snazzy belt tool thing from Harbor freight. It did not work on the HHR quite like I wanted it to.

Fortunately my younger brother had stopped by to check on my progress and between the two of us we managed to get the new belt on.

The HF tool is to thick to get between the fender and the belt tensioner, at least on my car.

He has come up with a different design that will incorporate a ratcheting wheel on the square drive but be much thinner than a regular ratchet. He has the tools in the shop where he works to build the thing and I have been working on a dimensional drawing for him to work from.

He has a 'working' prototype but the ratcheting part is just a square with a spring plunger on it. Sometimes when you put the torque on it to release the belt it will slip and you bust your knuckles.

The thing I'm drawing will have more of a ratcheting pall that you can reverse from about the middle of the handle.

 

the jack idea has worked for me twice now, but I can't remember if I posted it or not! so I used the search tool and saw it was Prod who posted pictures of the jack and 3/8 extension idea so the kudos go to Prod!!!!

 

I give kudos as well, can't take credit for someone else's idea. I found it via Google and a YouTube video from this interesting fellow

 

Changing the belt in my '07 with a 2.4 wasn't that easy until I discovered there are actually two belts available for that year. When I bought a Goodyear Gatorback belt for the truck, the Goodyear catalog listings only showed one belt, PN 4050400. No way would that fit. Way too short.

Checked the Goodyear listing for an HHR on Rockauto.com, again, and, again, it only listed one GY belt but two Gates belts.
Hmmm.
So I looked at the listing for a Cobalt. Viola there were two Goodyear belts listed the 4050400 and a 4050405. Not too many auto parts places open on Sundays around here and the one that was, Larry's Auto Parts in Goleta, carried Gates and had the longer Gates belt in stock.

Proper size belt always makes changing drive belts easy.
Well....duh.

Anyone want a brand new Goodyear Gatorback drive belt (PN 4050400) for HHRs with the A/C compressor which has the "triangle shaped" compressor pulley weight? If you do, you can Paypal me 20 bucks and I'll ship you the belt.