Hey guys,
Ok went to change my squeaking alternator belt, only to find that I can't loosen it enough to get the belt off as the toothed bracket it missing a tooth.!
The bolt reaches a point where it just spins, I don't want to cut the old belt off as If I can't get that off I probably won't get the new one on.
What shall I do?
'87 325i vert - Alternator tensioner
Moderator: martauto
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blingsta
- Boost Junkie
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can you not lever the alternator down at the same time as undoing the bolt... once it slips past the missing toot it should be ok...
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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You realise that the bolt that the alternator hinges on needs to be slackened slightly as well?
Take the bolt through the star wheel right out if necessary.
A new adjuster bar, part # 12 31 1 274 833, is only around £5.
It's very common to find the wrong length belt on E30s. Should be 9.5mm x 965mm.
Take the bolt through the star wheel right out if necessary.
A new adjuster bar, part # 12 31 1 274 833, is only around £5.
It's very common to find the wrong length belt on E30s. Should be 9.5mm x 965mm.
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mcbonio
- E30 Zone Squatter
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Great thanks Brian, I actually hadn't realised the bottom hinge bracket needed loosening off too.! I don't think my haynes manual mentions the bottom bolt... I know I should get a bently.!
How tight does the alternator belt need to be? I was under the impression you should be able to give the belt a quarter turn with your fingers when on. Is this correct?
Also my belt is 10mm x 960mm. Will that extra half a millimetre make in width a difference?
How tight does the alternator belt need to be? I was under the impression you should be able to give the belt a quarter turn with your fingers when on. Is this correct?
Also my belt is 10mm x 960mm. Will that extra half a millimetre make in width a difference?
Last edited by mcbonio on Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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kam-325i
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others will say " 1/2inch deflection of belt"
Pete don't care about colour, He would shag a rainbow if he could find the end of it....
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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mcbonio wrote: How tight does the alternator belt need to be? I was under the impression you should be able to give the belt a quarter turn with your fingers when on. Is this correct?
That's for a cam belt. Kam-325i is correct.
Damage to the teeth of the tensioner occurs when the bolt is slackened too much, and the rack allowed to slide of off the edge of the adjuster cog. This bolt should only be slacked just enough to let the adjuster turn and move the rack.
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mcbonio
- E30 Zone Squatter
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Ok chaps,
Loaded with info, I'll do it tomorrow, the racket the belt makes is unreal, people are turning heads not for all the right reasons.!
Cheers guys.!
Loaded with info, I'll do it tomorrow, the racket the belt makes is unreal, people are turning heads not for all the right reasons.!
Cheers guys.!
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mcbonio
- E30 Zone Squatter
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Ok, I know this is supposed to be a relatively easy job, but even with the top star bolt out, and the bottom hinge bolt almost out and the alternator as far forward as possible, belt is still too tight to get off.! Why is this being such a pain.!?
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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Possibly it's not the right belt on there. If it's scrap and being replaced, then cut it off.
New one can be wound on by turning the crankshaft if it's a bit tight.
New one can be wound on by turning the crankshaft if it's a bit tight.