Belt tensioner

[jtnovibe]

Is there some trick to getting the #@$!ing bolt out of the center of the belt tensioner to take it off? I've tried an 18" breaker bar with a 18" pipe on the end of it and that bolt won't budge. I'm either going to round off the head of the bolt or break it if I keep at it. Am I missing something? It seems like there's plenty of people that have replaced the belt tensioner. How did you get that damn bolt out???One more thing... the Toyota manual says, "HINT: Handle a jack up and down to remove the bolt." What the heck is that supposed to mean? Anyone here speak Engrish?Thanks for any help!-JT

[bull77]

i've never done it but here's some threads for youhttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=28460http://matrixowners.com/?showtopic=62909

[jtnovibe]

Thanks for the links! I found plenty of posts on this forum from people that replaced their belt tensioner, but none of them seem to have had the trouble that I'm having. I love the second link where he says, "8) Remove the 17mm bolt that hold the tensioner assy onto the block." I've been on that step for a good 4 hours now. There's no way to get a socket on the bolt without jacking up the engine and I did some damage to the bolt head trying to get it out with a box wrench. I wonder if the "hint" saying "handle a jack up and down" is trying to say you should jack up the engine first.I'm going to give it one more try, but I don't have a lot of hope. I can't imagine why it's so tight. It's not rusted (we live in a fairly dry climate). There's no way to really get at it with Liquid Wrench.Wish me luck! If anyone else has any ideas, I'm all ears.-JT

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by jtnovibe »Thanks for the links! I found plenty of posts on this forum from people that replaced their belt tensioner, but none of them seem to have had the trouble that I'm having. I love the second link where he says, "8) Remove the 17mm bolt that hold the tensioner assy onto the block." I've been on that step for a good 4 hours now. There's no way to get a socket on the bolt without jacking up the engine and I did some damage to the bolt head trying to get it out with a box wrench. I wonder if the "hint" saying "handle a jack up and down" is trying to say you should jack up the engine first.I'm going to give it one more try, but I don't have a lot of hope. I can't imagine why it's so tight. It's not rusted (we live in a fairly dry climate). There's no way to really get at it with Liquid Wrench.Wish me luck! If anyone else has any ideas, I'm all ears.-JTyknow, I seem to remember reading a thread on matrixowners.com about having to jack up the engine to replace the tensioner. This link might help you out:http://matrixowners.com/?showtopic=62909

[Whelan]

Are you replacing the actual pulley or just the belt?In order to replace the belt there is a MUCH easier way. Simnply get a C-clamp, and put it over the adjustable piston and top of the engine. (back left corner). Then twist the clamp till the belt is loose. Put new belt on and remove the clamp. Takes about 5 minutes.

[jtnovibe]

I'm trying to get to the head gasket. The belt tensioner has to come off to get the timing chain cover off. Given all the trouble I've had so far, I'd be willing to bet the head gasket isn't the real problem and it's something much more severe (like a cracked block).I don't know what the problem is with that bolt, but at this point the head is so chewed up even a 6pt socket won't grip it effectively. I'm going to make one last ditch effort with one of those bolt extractor socket gizmos. If (or should I say when) that doesn't work, the only solution I see is to drill it out. That would require lifting the engine out of the car.I'm open to suggestions!-JT

[jtnovibe]

It worked! I've taken out a lot of tough bolts in my day, but that was by far the toughest I've ever tackled. To anyone out there wondering if those bolt extractors work, I can say emphatically, yes!I still don't know what the problem was. It doesn't appear bent or rusted at all. Maybe the guy at the factory just had his wrench misadjusted or he was just trying to screw with me.Thanks to all who took an interest in my problem. Now its on to the next challenge...-JT

[Celtic_Curse]

I had the same problem when working on mine. The bolt was impossible to budge...good thing because it didn't need to come out Whelan had the right advice on this page about what I needed to do.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by jtnovibe »It worked! I've taken out a lot of tough bolts in my day, but that was by far the toughest I've ever tackled. To anyone out there wondering if those bolt extractors work, I can say emphatically, yes!I still don't know what the problem was. It doesn't appear bent or rusted at all. Maybe the guy at the factory just had his wrench misadjusted or he was just trying to screw with me.Thanks to all who took an interest in my problem. Now its on to the next challenge...-JTCool, I was just going to suggest some grease with sand in it, smeared on the bolt head offers a lot of extra grip... there is a fluid, which I can't remember the name now, that's nothing but silicon carbide in a watery "glue" substance, that works great for stripped phillips screws and whatnot.. I'll remember the name and edit... i've had a tube of it in my tool box for YEARS.. Drive Grip.. I remembered

[jtnovibe]

I'll have to remember that sand and grease trick. It may have saved me the 20 bucks I spent on the bolt extractors.-JT