[mach1rob]

Clearance isn't great, but it is doable, you'll need a ring spanner on the idler pulley it's 15mm on the T, but may be 13mm, it's also easier to go in from under the car if you can. You'll get bugger all movement on the alternator if the belt is still attached, so you really need to get that off.

[harkins77]

Damn it. I'm going to have problems then if it means I'll need to get under to remove it as the location of the car makes it not possible to jack up and if I do want to take it anywhere it'll mean using an a frame to get it there.

[mach1rob]

You don't have to go from underneath, spanner will go in from the top, just slightly more room to get leverage on spanner from the underside. Just mind your knuckles when the bolt lets go!

If it's tight to get onto the spanner, some scaffold pole slipped over top helps with leverage, as does anything that will fit over end of spanner, even another one, so you clear the chassis.

[harkins77]

You make it sound so easy. .

You need a holiday up here to gimme a hand.

I'll give it a try either tomorrow or Monday as the sky still looks awful at the moment and I don't want to get soggy.

This is the problem I have with where the car is located.



See my predicament?

[mach1rob]

After doing so many it becomes easy, if you were closer I'd come help, but it's a good 6-7 hour trip :(

Best bit of advice I can offer is this, take your time, don't rush, if you struggle, stop, walk away have a brew etc and return a bit later, it always seems to come undone/slip back into place then.

[harkins77]

Is it do-able with the wheel on or off and jacked up or am I going to have to do it through with the wheel arch lining removed?

[mach1rob]

The only thing you'll have to do from underneath is loosen and tighten the adjuster, but you should be able to do that without jacking it up or removing the wheel, socket, extension bar and ratchet and an outstretched arm usually suffices, obviously if it were up in the air you'd have a bit more room to get under and see what you're doing.

The idler pulley nut is reachable from the top, ring spanner is best bet here. Some grovelling for last nut may be needed but as Dan says with belt off alternator should swing around enough to get spanners on.

[harkins77]

Ok thanks I'll give it a go in the morning when I have a bit more time on my hands. Although it's dry here at the moment I bet as soon as I open the toolbox the heavens will open for a 5th time.

[GTiJohn]

Bl**dy H*ll - this is gripping stuff !

It's like the control tower having to guide a passenger who's flying the airliner when both the pilot and co-pilot have gone down with food poisoning after eating the same dodgy meal.

That's what makes this site special !

[harkins77]

Nah it just helps if your not a numpty like me. I wanna do it myself, but it looks near impossible to me at least.