Help! Can’t loosen serpentine belt

[Wolfsbora]

I’m doing a big project to improve the coolant system. I’m trying to install the Motorcraft 180 degree thermostat so I have to take the alternator off. To do that, you have to loosen the serpentine belt. The 17mm bolt feels like it’s welded on. I’ve tried cranking it as hard as I can and I tried using a rubber mallet on the wrench to try loosen it and it’s not budging. I haven’t tried PB Blaster yet. Anyone have any ideas? That bolt is part of a critical component so I’m worried about breaking it.

EDIT: PB Blaster isn’t helping….

 

[Intuit]

Air tools usually make short work of stuff like that. It's the repeated shock of successive, quick hits that begin to knock it loose. There are Li-Ion powered tools that try to mimic air tools now. Many of them (*cough* Harbor Freight *cough*) that are complete garbage so choose carefully.

 

[Wolfsbora]

Air tools usually make short work of stuff like that. It's the repeated shock of successive, quick hits that begin to knock it loose. There are Li-Ion powered tools that try to mimic air tools now. Many of them (*cough* Harbor Freight *cough*) that are complete garbage so choose carefully.

Thank you for the advice! I’m already way over budget on this project. It looks like I’m going to have to tackle it from the front which will mean taking the front off. Sucks.

 

[M-Sport fan]

The problem with that is that the crash bar bolts can potentially be 'welded on' as well, especially considering the salt soup corrosion we experience in the rust belt.

But your crash bar itself does not appear to be that rusted, so maybe not.