how do i get my serpentine belt back on my 05 cobalt? i've tried using the little notch to the right of the pulley but the person who had the car before looks like they have groved the top part to where the wrench, and vice grips just slide off the notch. any other way to get the tensinor down so i can get my belt back on and drive my car after 2 days. i'm getting boost fever!!!

 

Whats goin on brother... Im having the same exact problem my belt snapped a few days ago. For the life of me I can not get that tentioner pulley to move. I understand exactly what your saying about that nub. I read online to use a 15mm box wrench on the nub as a lever to move it down but that soft crap steel just rounds off.... This is probably the worst design iv ever seen to adjust a tensioner pulley. Any who im in the same boat iv got the car in pieces trying 100 different ways to compress that shock and iv got no where except a few busted knuckles.... Have you had any luck??? I belive they might make and aftermarket " Pulley" where its got a reverse thread so you can push the hex head to the left with a ratchet and force it down because it wont loosen.... thats the only other idea I have at this point.... pleaseeeeeee help!!!! hahaha

 

Cobalt SS/SC Belt removal tension pulley release - YouTube

 

Nice!

 

all i did was google "cobalt ss tensioner trick"

 

the thing is with my car i tried that, the bolt just loosened up. i just loosened the hub itself to where the screw was halfway in and used a meaty pair of vicegrips. i made them tight enough to where i could hardly squeeze them together. then just pushed down. you have to watch them though cause they will hit the head. so you have to push them to the left around the bolt to get the pulley to go down all the way. thats how i got mine and it works every time. you also don't have to worry about BUSTED KNUCKLES!!