YES! Timing Belt Tensioner Removal without removing AC Bracket

[BamaDrewski]

I just did a complete valve cover replacement (half moons, came covers, cam oil seals) in addition to a timing belt job and oil cooler hose and gasket replacement.

This "tip" might already be out there, but the timing belt tensioner can be removed WITHOUT taking off the AC compressor and bracket. You have to get under the truck and to the right front of the oil pan, there is an enclosed cable in a little plastic bracket. Unsnap that bracket at the front of the engine, then get underneath with an 3/8ths extension and wiggle up from the bottom to the "hard to get to" tensioner bolt. It worked like a charm. Takes some patience but less of a headache than removing the AC compressor and AC Bracket.

 

[aontkos]

I've seen this one floating around before. I tried my best to do it, but I couldn't get it to work, so I figured I would end up spending the same amount of time removing the bracket.

I'm glad this works for some folks. I think it's kind of like getting the starter out of the wheel well...some people manage to get it right pretty quickly, but others don't.

 

[Toyotayoda]

Yep, I've done that on the rare occasion that there hydraulic goes bad, I usually use a 1/4"drive for the extra wiggle room.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

1/4" fits in there better, but I snapped my 1/4" wobble extension trying to break the bolt loose [emoji849]

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I did it with a 1/4" extension and wobble extension(s) and maybe a swivel but I can't remember.

 

[alumarine]

I find the easiest way to deal the tensioner is to not deal with it.:biggrin2:

Has anyone ever had the tensioner fail?

 

[Unner]

1/4" fits in there better, but I snapped my 1/4" wobble extension trying to break the bolt loose [emoji849]

Me too... I spent an hour trying to get it off without removing the AC compressor. Should have just spent that hour removing the AC compressor and reinstalling in the first place...

 

[TheDurk]

Me too... I spent an hour trying to get it off without removing the AC compressor. Should have just spent that hour removing the AC compressor and reinstalling in the first place...

That's what I was thinking. Except it didn't take that long. With the right flexhead GearWrench, lying underneath, coming at it from the rear, it wasn't that bad. FIGURING OUT how to do it took a while, though.

 

[Unner]

That's what I was thinking. Except it didn't take that long. With the right flexhead GearWrench, lying underneath, coming at it from the rear, it wasn't that bad. FIGURING OUT how to do it took a while, though.

Yeah I didn't head members warnings. I had a regular ratcheting wrench, but was told a stubby ratcheting wrench is what I would need. They were right, a stubby ratcheting wrench would have made easy work of it.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I told [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION] that owning a 14mm stubby fixed head ratcheting wrench was the way to go in from the front to remove those bolts.

I broke a ratchet trying to undo that bolt. A Matco no less. It's pawl was cracked. Should have reached for the Snap On......

 

[Unner]

I told [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION] that owning a 14mm stubby fixed head ratcheting wrench was the way to go in from the front to remove those bolts.

I broke a ratchet trying to undo that bolt. A Matco no less. It's pawl was cracked. Should have reached for the Snap On......

Yup, you're right. It was you!

I also rounded the head of the one bolt badly trying to get it out from underneath with the swivels and what not so I had to go get a replacement bolt from lowes. When I do mine again I'll just pull the compressor. And replace all the bearings, tensioner, etc. It's amazing how quiet and smooth the motor runs after replacing bearings with 180k on them.

 

[Mark_BC]

Prob a good idea to hit it with PB Blaster a few days before

 

[amalik]

Yup, you're right. It was you!

I also rounded the head of the one bolt badly trying to get it out from underneath with the swivels and what not so I had to go get a replacement bolt from lowes. When I do mine again I'll just pull the compressor. And replace all the bearings, tensioner, etc. It's amazing how quiet and smooth the motor runs after replacing bearings with 180k on them.

Which bearings do you mean, of the AC compressor?

 

[Unner]

Which bearings do you mean, of the AC compressor?

I'm talking about the idler bearings the timing belt routes around.

 

[amalik]

I'm talking about the idler bearings the timing belt routes around.

oh, right.

 

[fourfive]

That's what I was thinking. Except it didn't take that long. With the right flexhead GearWrench, lying underneath, coming at it from the rear, it wasn't that bad. FIGURING OUT how to do it took a while, though.

Very true but for me it actually took a little longer getting the bolt lined up when I was installing the tensioner. The bolt kept falling off the socket when I was trying to reach the tensioner. This will be my approach from now on & removing the compressor will be my plan B in the event I start breaking shi* like [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION]

 

[LittleCaesar]

Very true but for me it actually took a little longer getting the bolt lined up when I was installing the tensioner. The bolt kept falling off the socket when I was trying to reach the tensioner. This will be my approach from now on & removing the compressor will be my plan B in the event I start breaking shi* like [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION]

And to make matters worse, in order to warranty the ratchet I had to find a new Matco truck since the driver my brother used to deal with got himself a long stay in the clink. :spit:

 

[JackFromColorado]

Just take the AC compressor out. I stripped my rear tensioner bolt head. Now I'm ****ed; can't even recompress the tensioner without a vice...

Edit/Update: I recall getting the tensioner replaced. Eventually the pentrating oil and different socket, extention, cursing combinations worked. I was able to do it without removing the AC.