Please help me install this damn belt tensioner *cries

[KainDrag]

Ok so I removed everything today while replacing my timing belt and water pump, I already reinstalled the pump and about to do timing belt.

Now hear me out, I removed my belt tensioner because I wanted to put a new one in, but I didn't removed the side bracket or the ac compressor. I just went underneath and used a swivel extension to get to the two bolts. I am now reinstalling the tensioner.

But theres not enough room becUse the pin keeps hitting the left bracket. Has anyone done it this way or can someone offer me a solution.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Ok so I removed everything today while replacing my timing belt and water pump, I already reinstalled the pump and about to do timing belt.

Now hear me out, I removed my belt tensioner because I wanted to put a new one in, but I didn't removed the side bracket or the ac compressor. I just went underneath and used a swivel extension to get to the two bolts. I am now reinstalling the tensioner.

But theres not enough room becUse the pin keeps hitting the left bracket. Has anyone done it this way or can someone offer me a solution.

I have done it, but it was a grip of effort not really worth it. The Compressor is a ***** too, but it's just tedious to get those bolts off, then back on. The angle for the tensioner makes it near impossible. I did it on a 96 Tacoma, not sure if is any difference but ALL the documentation says to remove the compressor and bracket. Just do it.

 

[MandAtaco]

I didn't know there was any way humanly possible to remove that tensioner without pulling the A/C compressor. Thats some Houdini stuff right there. Get a ratchet wrench and pull the compressor and bracket off. Much easier to get to.

 

[s20004runner]

yea i struggled to get the ac compressor off, but that made the getting the belt tensioner easily on. Give and take.

 

[kball]

Ok so I removed everything today while replacing my timing belt and water pump, I already reinstalled the pump and about to do timing belt.

Now hear me out, I removed my belt tensioner because I wanted to put a new one in, but I didn't removed the side bracket or the ac compressor. I just went underneath and used a swivel extension to get to the two bolts. I am now reinstalling the tensioner.

But theres not enough room becUse the pin keeps hitting the left bracket. Has anyone done it this way or can someone offer me a solution.

I don't really get what you're saying. Are you talking about the little pin that holds the tensioner in hitting the a/c bracket? From the pics I have it should not be in the way. I don't remember having this issue when I did mine. Got a pic?

 

[KainDrag]

I don't really get what you're saying. Are you talking about the little pin that holds the tensioner in hitting the a/c bracket? From the pics I have it should not be in the way. I don't remember having this issue when I did mine. Got a pic?

You are correct sir, I took off the idler pulley on the bottom and it gave me all the room I needed. I'm on day 2 of install. Got timing belt installed and that bolt torqued. Just gotta put all the covers back on and install the belt.

And for those curious, if you're changing the belt tensioner you don't need to remove the ac compressor or the bracket, plenty of space to get to that bolt from the bottom. Just need a few extensions... a few i mean like 5-6

 

[kball]

And for those curious, if you're changing the belt tensioner you don't need to remove the ac compressor or the bracket, plenty of space to get to that bolt from the bottom. Just need a few extensions... a few i mean like 5-6

Or a long one with a wobble on the end :juggle:

 

[KainDrag]

Or a long one with a wobble on the end :juggle:

Yes! that would've been nice, i had a few small tool kits so I just combined a bunch of them together, a wobble is a must though, the hole is tiny.

 

[takumi]

I'm gonna be doing my timing belt and tensioner soon on my 1999 4Runner Limited. I'm glad I saw this thread, I thought the A/C compressor needed to be unbolted.

I like the fact you can use a series of extensions and swivels.

My only question, what size socket do you use to remove and re-install the tensioner bolts?

 

[Drcoffee]

Have you tried straightening the loop out and bend it downward. Once you get the belt on, use a plier and pull on the end to release the pin. Just give it a good tug. If its not long enough, buy some steel wire from the hardware store and make a new pin 6" long.

 

[kball]

I'm gonna be doing my timing belt and tensioner soon on my 1999 4Runner Limited. I'm glad I saw this thread, I thought the A/C compressor needed to be unbolted.

I like the fact you can use a series of extensions and swivels.

My only question, what size socket do you use to remove and re-install the tensioner bolts?

I used 1/4" drive and a 1/2" socket. Since these are metric bolts officially it's 13mm.

 

[azcat90]

I didn't know there was any way humanly possible to remove that tensioner without pulling the A/C compressor. Thats some Houdini stuff right there. Get a ratchet wrench and pull the compressor and bracket off. Much easier to get to.

I unbolted the power steering pump and hung it to the side with a cable tie before removing the compressor and compressor bracket - I could not have done this part without ratcheting box wrenches.

 

[animator]

I'm gonna be doing my timing belt and tensioner soon on my 1999 4Runner Limited. I'm glad I saw this thread, I thought the A/C compressor needed to be unbolted.

I like the fact you can use a series of extensions and swivels.

My only question, what size socket do you use to remove and re-install the tensioner bolts?

I found it to be incredibly easy to remove/install the tensioner with the AC bracket out of the way.


To remove the AC bracket, I removed the PS pump and the air box and tube up to the manifold. Once those are out of the way, reaching the ac bracket bolts is a lot easier.

 

[TheDurk]

I unbolted the power steering pump and hung it to the side with a cable tie before removing the compressor and compressor bracket - I could not have done this part without ratcheting box wrenches.

I did it without, because at the time a few years ago, I had not acquired a set of GearWrenches (I have them now.) Lying on the ground coming at it from behind, I did it with a box wrench, but I have been wrenching for fifty years.