Replacing Fan & Alternator Belts.... Not as easy as it SHOULD be!!!!!

[daring]

HELLLLP!!!!

I noticed that it was time to change my belts. I see how simple it should be to JUST take the 24mm wrench and the special 12pt tool that goes into the center of the Alternator drive shaft and then loosen the nut.... However, the center of the drive shaft is stripped and so I can't get the tool in. Also, it doesn't look like I can use a pulley tool like with the older Carrera's that have notches in the pulley.

Does anyone have a trick for getting the nut off??
I am hoping that someone has a more cost effective solution to this problem than "Gotta take it to a mechanic/machine shop and then replace the Alternator!!!"

I have had this car since last month, and don't mind these challenges, but I would rather be driving it!!!!

Thanks, Darin

[schubee]

Darin,

I haven't tackled this job yet but I intend to replace my belts when I refinish my fan and housing. I'll take a look to see if I can be of any help. However, what year and model is your car. I assume it's a 964, 993, or 996, right? If I don't find it here first, I usually check Rennlist.

[pbs911]

Try pinching the belts together in the area between the pulleys. Worked for me.

[daring]

Sorry Schubee, I keep forgetting this slight detail in my posts.

'90 C2 Cab.


pbs911... tried the belt "Squeeze" didn't work. Probably need to recruit a neighbor to hold with BOTH hands while I put weight on the wrench.

Thanks guys, Darin

[daring]

Ok, for the record I figured it out.

Ironically, I had to buy a new Oil Filter Wrench when I got the car because all of the ones that I had wouldn't clear the A/C compressor (unless I wanted to move it in and readjust every oil change).

The new wrench looks like a large set of pliers. So I just used it to grip the front pulley....duh!!!

I can probably tell you every trick in the book when it comes to working on 1st and 2nd generation camaro's, but give me a new animal and I freeze up!! It's like, "Don't screw up, it'll cost you thousands!!"

I'll get over that... thanks for humoring me guys. DG

[benzyne]

Sorry for reviving a long dead post. I'm fairly new to my 964 Turbo, and am still finding my way around. Things are much more familiar with my old SC.

The tool kit that came with my car seems to be missing the 12pt tool that daring mentioned. Anyone have a picture of said tool?

Thanks in advance.

[Tigerrat]

This is it. Ken

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=999-571-052-02-OEM&catalog_description=12-Point%20Fan%2FAlternator%20Pulley%20Nut%20Wrench%2 C%20911%20Carrera%20(1990-98)

[benzyne]

Thanks Ken,

I ended up using a large wrench to grip the pulley, and that gave me enough umph to undo the bolt. My next problem now is getting the pulley off the shaft. Anyone have some wisdom before I go and break something?

This is where I am at now:



I've tried prying at the front pulley from small space between the pulleys. It seems pretty stuck.

[benzyne]

OK, figured it out. It's just press fit ... tight. A bit of WD40 and a lot of prying got the part off.

Unfortunately, I was hoping that there'd be spacers in there that I could remove so that the pulley would sit closer into towards the fan. There are none.

The problem I have is that the AC Compressor pulley is not inline with the Alternator pulley (the one that I removed). There doesn't appear to be any FORE/AFT adjustment at the compressor side ... only TENSION adjustment. I had hoped that the fore/aft adj was at the Alt. pulley. I was wrong.

Soooo, how do I adjust the pulleys so that they are inline with each other? The belt ends up sitting funny on the compressor pulley. The compressor pulley is further towards the front of the car than the alt pulley.

Arrrggghhh.

[sandiego]

BTW Autozone sells a 6 point socket for about $6 if you dont go for the original wrench. Other parts store probably do also.

[benzyne]

A local autoparts store sold me a 12pt tool that worked. It's listed as a 10mm Serrated Wrench Tool. I had to shorten it a bit to fit into the confines behind the pulley, but otherwise worked like a champ.