Balance Belt Install Problem

[OK-944]

Any tips on installing a balance belt without inadvertently moving the balance shaft sprockets off of their marks?

I've done this with the engine out of the car no problem...but with the engine in the car I'm having a heck of a time trying to install this belt while keeping the upper and lower balance shaft sprockets from rotating.

Any hints? Thanks!

[Techno Duck]

I usually make a mark with whiteout on the sprocket so i can see from under the car if the sprocket moves. Helps to have someone hold the upper sprocket in place also while you get the belt on also. If your really in a bind, put a 17mm wrench, socket..whatever on the bolt for the sprocket and brace it up against something on the engine.

[krystar]

yea same. i put whiteout mark on the circular cover with the 4 holes corresponding to where the mark is on the sprocket. just make sure u put the matching cover on the correct upper/lower sprocket

if my memory serves,
upper bs sprocket should be lined up about the 1oclock area. it matches up with the upper bs nose, there's a stamp of a triangular symbol on the base. wish i had a picture of it.
lower bs sprocket should be lined up around the 5oclock area

[mytrplseven]

There's a little notch on the rear plastic housing for the upper once and a small tab at about the 7 o'clock to line up the lower one. I usually put the belts on and then the tensioner/idler. Make sure the proper side faces out. I've never had an issue with them shifting more than a tooth and then since the belt is loose, just move it a tooth.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by Techno Duck

I usually make a mark with whiteout on the sprocket so i can see from under the car if the sprocket moves. Helps to have someone hold the upper sprocket in place also while you get the belt on also. If your really in a bind, put a 17mm wrench, socket..whatever on the bolt for the sprocket and brace it up against something on the engine.

This.

A white paint pen is an invaluable tool for these cars. Works great for the "OT" mark on the flywheel too.

[Nigel Haslock]

If the issue is physically getting the marks to line up as you put the belt on, this might help.

This assumes that the crankshaft isn't going to move and that it is at TDC.

Wrap the belt around the crankshaft pulley.

Maintaining tension on the belt, i.e. hand tight, wrap it around the upper spocket with the upper spocket on its mark.

Keeping enough tension that it doesn't jump a tooth, bring it down to the lower sprocket.

Do a trial fit on the lower sprocket, including setting the tensioner. Count how many teeth away from the mark the sprocet is.

Remove the tensioner sprocket to free the belt, but keep tension on the belt so nothing else moves.

Move the lower sprocket the number of teeth you counted in the appropriate direction.

Ease the belt on again, set the tensioner and everything should be in the right place.