On the XV70 Camry the belt job is straightforward mechanically but awkward physically. Both the 2.5L A25A-FKS and the 3.5L 2GR-FKS use one ribbed belt with a spring-loaded automatic tensioner, so there is nothing to adjust — you just unload the tensioner, swap the belt and let it re-tension itself. The catch is access: the tensioner sits low on the passenger side behind the wheel, so most people end up pulling the right front wheel and the inner fender liner rather than fighting it from above.
The single biggest mistake is buying a belt for a hybrid Camry that does not have one, or grabbing the wrong length because the 2.5 and 3.5 differ. The second is not photographing the routing before removal — the underhood decal is frequently missing on these cars, and a belt run backwards over an idler will squeal and shred within days.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor jack 2 ton minimum Raise the right front corner for wheel and liner removal. | Required | shop |
| Jack stands 2 ton pair Support the car while you work in the wheel well. | Safety | shop |
| Wheel chocks Block the rear wheels before lifting. | Safety | shop |
| Lug wrench or impact socket 21 mm, 1/2 in drive Remove the right front wheel. | Required | shop |
| Socket set 10 mm socket, 3/8 in drive with short extension Fender liner/splash shield bolts and engine cover fasteners. | Required | shop |
| Plastic trim clip pliers Pop the push-pin clips holding the inner fender liner without breaking them. | Recommended | shop |
| Breaker bar 1/2 in drive, 18-24 in Swings the automatic tensioner off the belt; a ratchet usually is not long enough. | Required | shop |
| Socket for tensioner pulley bolt 14 mm 6-point, 1/2 in drive (thin wall helps) Engages the tensioner pulley center bolt to rotate the arm. | Required | shop |
| Serpentine belt tool kit Long low-profile handle with 3/8 in and 1/2 in drive plus crowfoot/swivel sockets Reaches the tensioner in the tight space behind the wheel well and gives leverage. | Required | shop |
| Universal joint / wobble extension 1/2 in drive swivel, 6-10 in extension Lets the breaker bar clear the frame rail and subframe when turning the tensioner. | Recommended | shop |
| Inspection mirror and flashlight Confirm belt routing over the top pulleys you cannot see. | Recommended | shop |
| Belt tension / wear gauge For ribbed belts Check rib wear on the old belt to judge whether other belts on the car are due. | Recommended | shop |
| Torque wrench 1/2 in drive, 20-150 ft-lb Torque the wheel lug nuts on reassembly. | Required | shop |
| Serpentine belt Engine-specific: 2.5L A25A-FKS or 3.5L 2GR-FKS — match by VIN The replacement belt; the two engines use different lengths. | Parts | shop |
| Belt routing photo or diagram The underhook sticker is often missing; photograph the old belt before removal. | Recommended | shop |
| Shop rags and brake cleaner Clean oil or coolant residue off pulleys before fitting the new belt. | Consumables | shop |
| Mechanic's gloves Pinch points at the tensioner and pulleys. | Safety | shop |
The 2.5L A25A-FKS and 3.5L 2GR-FKS both use a 14 mm tensioner pulley bolt and the same tool set, but the belts are different lengths and rib counts, so order by VIN. The 2.5L hybrid (A25A-FXS) in the Camry Hybrid has no accessory drive belt whatsoever — electric A/C compressor, electric water pump and no conventional alternator.
| Front wheel lug nuts | 76 ft-lb (103 Nm) |
| Tensioner pulley center bolt (if removed) | verify in the service manual |
| Tensioner assembly mounting bolts (if removed) | verify in the service manual |
| Fender liner / splash shield bolts | Hand tight, roughly 5 ft-lb (7 Nm) — do not strip the plastic |
The 14 mm tensioner pulley bolt, 10 mm liner fasteners, 21 mm lug nuts and 76 ft-lb lug torque are standard for the XV70 Camry, but confirm your belt part number by VIN and verify tensioner bolt torque in the Toyota service manual if you remove the tensioner itself.
No. The A25A-FXS hybrid powertrain uses an electric A/C compressor, an electric water pump and motor-generators instead of an alternator, so there is no accessory drive belt to inspect or replace.
Put a 14 mm socket on the tensioner pulley center bolt and apply steady pressure in the direction the arm swings against its spring — you will feel it load up immediately. Never force it past the internal stop; if it will not move with moderate force, you are turning the wrong way.
Toyota calls for inspection at regular services; most owners replace between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, or sooner if you see cracking across three or more ribs in a one-inch span, chunks missing, glazing or a persistent squeal on cold start.
On the 2.5L some people manage it from above with a long serpentine belt tool and a swivel, but it is a knuckle-buster. Pulling the right front wheel and the fender splash shield adds ten minutes and turns a frustrating job into an easy one, especially on the V6.