Serpentine Belt Issue

[modifiede30]

Need some help - I'm deleting a few accessories, not looking for opinions on what's deleted.

I'm reinstalling the serpentine belt tensioner and the bolt is bottoming out well before it reaches any threads within the alternator mounting hole. I just pulled this out a few days ago, and I'm totally stumped as to why it isn't now threading into place. The alternator is totally bolted into place and wasn't modified/removed. I removed the power steering and its associated mounts, but these shouldn't have any impact on the tensioner. Its almost as if the alternator bracket is misaligned, but from what I can see, its not moved at all since I started this project. Anyone had a similar issue or know why it is not reinstalling the way it was removed? Will see if i can post a video of the issue.

[bluptgm3]

You either have the wrong bolt or ...
If doing this blind, it is easy to get the tensioner in the wrong position (feels like it is correct) and can spend hours spinning a bolt in the air.


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[modifiede30]

You either have the wrong bolt or ...
If doing this blind, it is easy to get the tensioner in the wrong position (feels like it is correct) and can spend hours spinning a bolt is air.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the quick response, think I may have figured it out after removing the alternator entirely. Looks like the alternator shifted just a slight bit - didn't look as though it had moved but it did just enough to prevent the bolt to slide thru the alternator bracket.

Now I just need to figure out belt length using TMS underdrive pulleys and PS delete - hoping the 6PK1432 will work.

[golgo13]

FWIW on my S52 I have the Turner power pulley kit (came with the car) and I was able to fit a stock sized belt without issue.

[modifiede30]

FWIW on my S52 I have the Turner power pulley kit (came with the car) and I was able to fit a stock sized belt without issue.

I don't have the PS pump so it has to be shortened.

[golgo13]

Oh, snap. Maybe use a piece of string to measure?

[bluptgm3]

Oh, snap. Maybe use a piece of string to measure?

‘Cept that measures the length at the base of the groves.
Cut the existing belt, then thread it thru all the pulleys then either cut or mark the relaxed length. Measure and buy that length, 5 mm and 10mm shorter. Return the belts you do not use.


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[modifiede30]

I think I got it tonight - will see once the belt arrives. The string seemed to stretch a bit and when you are trying to put some tension on the pulley kept having issues. With no PS pump and TMS under-drive pulley installed nothing could be identified that would fit well. I settled on a 54"/1370 length so on Friday I'll let you know if it fits correctly. The routing is exactly the same as stock but rather than the belt runs straight from crank to alternator - cuts out about 9" of length from the original belt. Didn't think it would cut this much out.

[golgo13]

‘Cept that measures the length at the base of the groves.

Fair. Might get you close though. +/- a few mm, no?

[modifiede30]

Fair. Might get you close though. +/- a few mm, no?

Belts are measured according to "Effective Length", which isn't as clearly defined as I'd hoped but seems likely to account for the grooves. I've done this now 3 times and think I have it now. I'll let you know tomorrow if it arrives on schedule. It wasn't the easiest to find locally for some reason even though it appears to be the same length as a Mini S.

[bluptgm3]

Ya, the estimated length gets complicated in that the belt passes over/around the tensioner on the back side of the belt, that alone changes how that length is measured.


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[modifiede30]

Well the one I had finally thought would fit didn't work, too short. Bought another one that's even longer, still too short (56"). Going to try 59" next. Hoping that's not too long. The tensioner is hard to take into account while measuring. I am hoping the 3" gives me enough tension.

[bluptgm3]

Do you have the idler?


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[modifiede30]

Do you have the idler?


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Yes

[modifiede30]

57 7/8" did the trick - finally. For anyone that has deleted PS and installed under drive pulleys, this size works. Not sure how different this is from a stock pulley setup, but its probably close.

[bluptgm3]

For future comparison, what was the approximate length of the belt you are replacing?


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[modifiede30]

For future comparison, what was the approximate length of the belt you are replacing?


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63.25" was the original belt that came with the TMS underdrive pulley kit.