'98 Alternator/Power Steering pump refit -- A Cry for Help Topic is solved

[Ozark Lee]

You are correct that one of the bolts on the tensioner isn't really accessible. As I recall I used 1/4" drive ratchet to snug it but I had to hand thread it in to a point where I could get enough clearance to slip the socket on over the bolt head.

...Lee

[scot850]

Evan, can you take a picture of the hole you are trying to get to and the power steering pump from the front and side? My 97 850 should be the same and then I can compare it for you to see if there is something in the wrong place. Just did the timing belt and removed the tensioner without any access issues so makes me think smoething is out of whack.

Neil.

[E Showell]

Neil, I am working on the serpentine belt, not timing belt. I'll see if I can get some pictures.

Lee, it is not apparent to me that I even have clearance to start the bolt by hand.

[Teddy1975]

Don't know if this is helpful at this time.

[E Showell]

Teddy, that's very similar to what I have, but not an exact match. In particular, it does not show the bolt below #23 and above #20b, which is the one I am having trouble with.

If you look closely at the drawing you'll see that there is a place for a lower bolt going through the tensioner, but no lower bolt is depicted.

Plus, my serpentine belt tensioner doesn't look like the part in the drawing.

[Teddy1975]

Hmm, it's from VADIS, if you can post or pm me your VIN, I can see if there's another one for your car.

But the lower bolt should be put in much the same way as #23 bolt, it might "just" be a matter of moving the spring loaded part of the tensioner a little to be able to get the bolt in.

[erikv11]

You can take the serp tensioner on and off w/out removing the PS pump, I do it at the start of every t-belt change. You just have to hand start that bolt, something like what Lee said. Maybe put it in the socket and hand turn the socket, I don't remember exactly.

Neil it will be the same as yours, check it out if you have time.

[scot850]

Hi Evan,

I realise you are working on the serpentine belt, but my point was I have just had the serpentine belt off to do the timing belt on my car and replace the serpentine belt as well. Like erik says my car should be the same as yours, and whilst not easy to access the lower bolt for the tensioner is was easy with a long 3/8" 15mm socket. So I am suggesting maybe there is something amiss and the pictures may help me to help you. I'll take some pictures today and post them to see if they will help you.

Neil.

[abscate]

Evan - remove tensioner, put in lower bolt, start it as you bring tensioner into place, then do rest of bolts?

[E Showell]

I think there must be two mounting holes in the bracket and I have the topmost bolt in the wrong place (too high). What I originally thought was a PEMDAS (order of operations) problem may well be an I-D-I-O-T problem.