Adjusting that D**M Alt. Belt

[Al Powell]

Comments about adjusting the 200's alternator belt (based on my 1990 200).

The first time I tightened that belt, I think it took an hour and much
cursing. I then found that one critical bolt - the one at the top of the
alternator - could be reached more easily than I thought.

The top pivot on the alternator on the 200's is supposed to have a front and
back bolt. Mine never had a front bolt, and I never found one to fit. I
lived with that...although the front one would have been easier to reach
than the back one. This meant that I only had the rear bolt to deal with.

What I found was that if I snapped a 17mm (?) socket onto my trusty SK-Wayne
ratchet and then snaked that ratchet in beside the alternator, working from
underneath until the wrench was up above it, and then dropped the handle
down the back side of the alternator, the socket fit perfectly on the bolt
head and the wrench laid straight down the back of the alternator. I
couldn't turn it far on each stroke, but I could turn it. And that is
sufficient to tighten and loosen that troublesome bolt. No attachments, no
extensions - just the socket.

Yes it's a pain, but it's a manageable one.

Other than that single bolt, the secret is to get ALL the bolts loose and
use the star adjuster gently but firmly. I probably stripped a star adjuster
about every second time I tightened that belt; there's a fine line between
tight and stripped. I really wish Audi built that adjuster out of stouter
metal.

And when you change belts, you better plan on going back in after a week or
so and re-tightening them all.

Best....
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Al Powell
apowell at gocougs.wsu.edu
1958 Fiat 1200 Transformabile Spyder
1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo
1993 Audi 90Q
1997 Chebby Blazer
1999 Chebby Blazer
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