I tried YouTube but I couldn’t find any answers..
My daughter’s Chevy cobalt had the alternator quit her. A standard 3/8 ratchet won’t fit because it’s too thick,, the gap between the frame and pulley isn’t very wide.

I rented a tool from the auto parts store but the handle is too long , control arm and everything else is in the way,, if I could cut it in half it would be perfect.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I suggest you carry the car to a mechanic.

Don't know about that car, but most serpentine belts I have removed required me to loosen the tensioner and then pry the tensioner with a bar, but I did have a Dodge Ram, 1997, I think, with the 318 engine that I did not have to loosen anything, just pry it over to loosen the belt. If you can get at the alternator bracket and loosen the bolt holding it in position, that should allow you to slide it over and relieve belt tension?

Agree with you

3/8 breaker bar takes less room than a ratchet

Have you tried swatting at it with your purse?

I sprayed whiskey on my computer screen!

Now you know why mechanics have a mortgage worth of tools.

Sorry. I was going to say breaker bar, but Gary beat me to it.

Heck, even a box end wrench with a Johnson bar on the end.

Tried ,,, won’t fit.

Maybe you could loan me yours,, might work better than mine.

They do say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. It is hard to picture what you are describing.

That sounds tight! If the breaker bar is too restrictive on arc/swing, one option would be make a low profile ratchet. Cut the end off an old socket extension (if you don't have a source for 3/8 square bar) and weld it to a nut. That would let you put a ratcheting wrench on it (ratchet wrench goes on the nut). make sense? You end up with the low profile of a breaker bar and the arc flexibility of a ratchet. But I wouldn't go there unless I had to...

My last serpentine tensioner was siezed. It didn't have a square hole for a ratchet. Instead of ya have to put a wrench on the bolt of the pully. The aluminum threads were starting to yield because it was siezed. So I took the bolts out that held it on under tension. It sat on the floor a few minutes then unsiezed itself and bounced.

Say a few prayers ...and it might be on..in the morning

foxkidd44 ,
A quick search online will show you serpentine belt tools for sale. A lot of them are sets of multiple pieces to adjust the tool longer , shorter , offset , on an angle or whatever to get the tool to fit the car/engine. The one you rented , as you said , it was too long. Not made for your car.

Found a vid with a bit of info. The guy is able to get a 6"? flex head 3/8" breaker bar on it , but very hard and tricky. It will take some work to get a breaker bar in there , poking with a long screwdriver to get it place will help. Might take a few minutes to get it lined up and in the square ratchet hole.

Best parts of the video for you ,
2:40-3:30 and 5:53-6:25