On my 97 Z28 I'm trying to replace the Belt Tensioner but I have a big problem!!!!
The two bolts that hold it on the one by the AC compressor has a striped head.
Now these bolts are 10mm right?
How can you stripe one out if you use A 6point socket?

How can I get it off?
I need some big time help I can't get an adjustable wrench in there.
There is no room.
What can I DO.
Help Please!

Thanks,

Chris.

 

drill it out and use and EZ out.

 

Can't even get a drill in there no room.
Any body else?

Thanks,

Chris.

 

Use a socket made for stripped heads. Sears sells them.

 

Thanks Shoe
And would you beleve I have to order it from sears.
So I will have to deal with the squeeks for a cupple of days.
They don't have it in stock and I have 3 of them that I can drive to.
Cheepest is 20 bucks not too bad.
Is that whole bracket a PITA to take out?
If I can take it out I'm sure I can get something to bite on the bolt head.

Thanks Agine

Chris.

 

Check at your local auto parts stores, some do have them.

 

are you saying take the whole acc. bracket off to take out those bolts? If so, that is a bitch. The alt has to come out....no big deal. The a/c compressor has to come out....this is a little harder. And the power steering pump has to come out.....this is what always gives me trouble. That thing fits in there perfectly so the metal hoses coming off of it hang on everything. Your best bet is to wait for that socket.

 

No need to remove the whole bracket. That would be a lot of unnecessary (and hard) work. tensioner .

 

I have a question about the tensioners....What makes them go bad so quickly. I have gone through two of them in the past two years. They start to squeek and i can not deal with this annoying noise. Is there a way to lubercate it to prevent this without getting any lubercant on the belt?

Brandon

 

I don't know. I replaced mine at 90k just because I had the engine out, not because there was a problem with it.

 

mine fell apart and destroyed the belt at the same time

 

I replaced mine at ~45K and now at ~50K it is starting to make noises again. I guess all i can do is replace it again.

Brandon

 

I replaced mine less than a week ago. It only has 2 bolts and was super easy to get to...

 

My 97 has 177,000, the 96 124,000, and the 95 has 150,000 and have never had a problem with the tensioner on any of the cars.

 

Now that I have said that I will probably be replacing one next week...LOL