1997 850Alternator belt won't track, MVSolved, loose bolt

gummyjoe · Post by **gummyjoe** » 29 Aug 2014, 20:01

1997 850 GLT Turbo with AC

New (very frustrated) poster. Should have just paid someone (20/20 hindsight), but I (with great trouble finding the right bolts, and getting to a couple of those bolts) pulled the alternator, had it rebuilt and put it back in, but now the serpentine belt won't track properly--it's getting pulled off line. I feel very nearly certain I have the routing right (I've linked to the routing I used below, the only other routing I've seen for 850 leaves the belt too long). It sure looks like there isn't another way for the alternator to go in there. There is room for more doubt with the steering pump bracket, as I did end up taking a couple unnecessary bolts out, but then putting them back in.

All the pulleys and rollers seem to be running true so I don't think I've mangled those, and I'm just putting the old belt back in place so it's the right size.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. As my frustrations grow, any tips on rigging explosives and blasting the GD car to hell might also be appreciated--I'll let you know when I get there.

Routing:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/2cp-images/ques ... /large.jpg

Post by **timmybdaddyof3** » 30 Aug 2014, 05:16

Just two dumb thoughts that i noticed on my v70 when i pulled the power steering pump...my belt routing is the same (there is also a sticker on the hood just to be sure) but i notice that going over the crank before it hit the tensioner the belt naturally wanted to sit slightly off....it looked like it was in the pulley but would not run true.
The other dumb thought (and i would not believed this except i learned it the hard way)...could the alternator pulley have been shimmed before the rebuild?

Post by **precopster** » 30 Aug 2014, 06:29

My suggestion is to buy a used one for $20 from a pick and pull (you should be great at pulling one by now) and compare the offset of the pulley with yours. Once you can prove it's the re builder's mistake by showing him the other alternator next to yours he will have to fix it instead of blaming something you've done. By doing this you'll also be able to go over your re-fitting more carefully.

gummyjoe · Post by **gummyjoe** » 30 Aug 2014, 17:01

Thanks guys.

Figured it out: The long/nasty to get to/invisible bolt under the alternator wasn't engaging the power steering pump bracket like it needed to.

Post by **timmybdaddyof3** » 31 Aug 2014, 00:31

somehow its nice when you can solve what looks like a big problem by realizing you have a screw loose...
now if i could figure out how to tighten mine....

Post by **abscate** » 31 Aug 2014, 04:07

Do you still want that Semtex you ordered or can I put it back in the fridge??

Bravo Zulu and kudos for sticking it out.