Need to replace serpentine belt for 1998 bonneville se

My first impression would be the serpentine belt is worn ...specifically it has "glazed" and stretched so it no longer has the ability to effectively grip the drive pulleys it spins. Typically when the serpentine belt loses "traction" it will squeal as it slips on the metal pulleys of the accessories it is designed to operate. There also may be a problem with the the tensioner ...a device used to keep proper tension on the serpentine belt. This is an easy and relatively inexpensive repair ...probably cost between $100 and $200 ...depending on whether the tensioner needs replacing.
You really need to get this fixed. If the serpentine belt fails ...it breaks or comes apart ...you will lose power steering and the water pump as the two critical accessories the belt operates. Obviously the loss of power steering can make the car difficult to drive and the loss of the water pump will cause an engine overheat condition fairly quickly. The A/C and alternator will also drop off line but these aren't as critical as the steering and water pump.

There is a tensioner pulley attached to an arm.
Release the tension on the belt by undoing the pulley arm bolt, the belt will have enough slack to slide off the pulleys.
To put it back on, you find the diagram on the radiator guard or under the hood.

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1825592-serpentine_belt

Nope. Unless you buy a shorter serpentine belt. Not sure what the length would be or how to calculate it.

On Bonnevilles (1996 SE ), the belt is routed around the front engine mount to get to the air conditioner accessory. Once you turn the tensioner counter-clockwise using I believe 5/8" socket with a 1/2" drive breaker bar, so you have good leverage, you can remove the belt from the accessories. The front engine mount has three legs that connect to the front of the engine (on the passenger side of the car). You have to unscrew the lowest of the three mounting points (easiest done from the under side of the car, with the plastic shielding moved out of the way), which is right next to the crankshaft pully. Then there is a round tube spacer in between the engine block and this leg of the engine mount that you take out, and you can pull the belt out through there.

Here ya go...


Serpentine drive belt routing-GM “C and H” Bodies 3.8L (VIN 1) engine

You may need to take it to a shop or have someone replace the tensioner for you as that ca be the only reason as to why your belt came loose unless the belt snapped in which case you need to replace the belt good luck

There should be a diagram under the hood,If not e mail me an I will send you one [email protected]

You can remove the inner splash sheid inside the passenger wheel well and access the lower pulley.

hope this is what youre looking for