P80 hydraulic tensioner detail 9135036

[scot850]

I know it does not really help, but I did get a set of 'stubby' Torx 3/8" sockets from Princess Auto here in Canada. Don't think they are the highest quality by far, but they have helped me several times with tight access like where you are working. Maybe Harbor Freight has something similar?

https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/ ... -p8842270e

I wish you lots of luck but also patience!

Neil.

[theWIFES_S70]

Neil, those look like those old Lisle stubby Torx sockets they used to sell at Sears. I think I broke like two or three of them. I doubt the T45 would break though.

[erikv11]

I'm not getting it. Seems like just standard loosening needed of the T45, which should be trivial now that the engine is out. Regardless of the state of pulley. Get a T45 socket and take it off. Or no?

[abscate]

Engine is in. Very little room to fit the fastener.

Picture was from one of engines in the garden out front

[abscate]

The lisle 27740 t45 is the right tool to release that tight clearance torxon the tensioner

I adapted, improvised, overcame

My longer torx would not clear the bolt for removal so I turned the threads with needle nose pliers, ugh

[abscate]

By the way, I fought installing the belt for 39 minutes trying to install on tensioner last.

When I switched to idler last it took 39 seconds.

I turned engine over twice to tension and confirm alignment before pulling the pin

[wheelsup]

I bought my T45 stubby at Harbor Freight. I used it with a 3/8" thin profile Craftsman ratchet and it worked well. However, I looked on HF's site and can no longer find it. It was a T40, T45, T50 set I believe. I wanna say it was classified as a torx brake kit or something.

The total width of the ratchet + torx bit is 53.2mm

I too fought the belt. I think in the end, I said screw it, got my impact and took off the crank pulley. Took like 10 secs!

When I did this years ago the pulley pushed the belt off the cams about 1/2". I thought I had done something wrong. So I ended up bringing it back to my mechanic who used NAPA parts. No issues.

I keep telling myself this but I think this will be my last year with this car. 25 years is a good run. First car I learned to drive too. I just don't envy doing these jobs anymore. That brake switch was too much.

I just drive so little I can't justify a new car. 2500 miles a year.

[erikv11]

It’s rare that the L shaped torx key won’t get them out. Glad you got it done

[abscate]

I had ordered an L shaped Torx and also ordered the Lisle bits as I will be doing another 1998’in VT soon

You can’t get as much slack in the Hydraulic tension As you can in the mechanical, it sure was nice slipping it over the idler in a few seconds

[manovlov]

Hy Abscate,

Did you succeed in solving your issue ?

Manov