Help! Alternator belt change, at wits end

[LeoE]

I've tried searching, but had no luck. I've been trying for the past three hours to change my alternator belt, but as usual nothing seems straightfoward.

 

I got the alternator belt loosened enough to remove. But I need to remove the power steering pump belt to do so. This is where I'm stuck. I've loosened what I need to loosen to get the belt loose, and it's slightly looser than it was before. The problem is that I can't get the belt any looser! The tension adjuster is only about halfway along the bit where it slides (where the 12mm bolt is in the pic below), and something is preventing it from going further.

 

These are the bolts that i've loosened:

 

 

Is there something that I'm missing, or is it just going to take brute force to move it?

[vodkashots]

last time i had to remove the belt, i did it with the engine in the car as i was doing a water pump change. so basically undid the 14mm bolt, then undid the bolt on the tentioner to be able to loosen, then loosened with the bolt at the bottom to release the tention, then from on top i had to move the pump by hand to get it to shift enough to get some slack on the belt.

 

When you do it up, its easier as the tentioner pulls the pump back into position. then lock it up as you normally would once tention is at the correct setting.

[JeffTT]

The pump brackets are very tight on the engine, ( the bit the long 14mm bolt goes through) so what your experiencing is very common, so very carefully use a lever under the top metal fluid pipe as close as you can get to where it connects into the pump and lever up and towards the drivers side wing, the pump will move down and over, do not expect it to be easy though.

 

The ps belt will still need to be coaxed off the pulley by turing the crank and using a screwdriver to flip the belt over the pulley edge, spray the belt and pully with WD40 or similar to help things along and save the belt from damege, and refitting the belt will need the same method.

 

Hope that helps

 

Jeff TT

[LeoE]

Thanks both, will let you know how I get on!

[jimmer]

Or ride the old belts using a 27mm socket on the front pully,turn the engine over and pull the belt forward,it will ride off the crank pully.You can refit it the same way.It will need re tensioning though after.This is how the AA change belts so quick on the roadside.

[LeoE]

No joy. Gave up in the end and put it back how it was at it's my daily driver/only car so needed it for tomorrow.

 

Will have another crack at the weekend. Downside is the alternator belt is now squeaking constantly. Before it was only on startup. Ho hum...

[LeoE]

Can you elaborate on that a bit more Jimmer?

 

If only it was this easy:

 

[vodkashots]

Matey pop Over to me tomorrow and I'll do it I'm only 22 miles away

[LeoE]

Thanks, that's extremely kind! I can't today but later in the week is fine, or this weekend?

[vodkashots]

Thanks, that's extremely kind! I can't today but later in the week is fine, or this weekend?

 

thursday or Friday is good for me, Saturday I'm changing a gear box for someone, so hopefully will be getting another zed on the road :D and then off to fit a gear box as well lol so 2 gearboxes in 1 day.

 

Sunday im busy as well.

 

But Thursday or Friday is fine for me.

 

Do you have a number to text, and ill remove it once i have it for privacy

[LeoE]

0xxxxxxxx

 

Friday is probably going to be best for me.

 

Thanks again also, I really appreciate this.

Edited May 10, 2011 by vodkashots
Removing number

[vodkashots]

0xxxxxxxx

 

Friday is probably going to be best for me.

 

Thanks again also, I really appreciate this.

 

You are more than welcome