MBMB

I've started my TB/WP job; I'm trying to get my AC belt off. I'm having difficulty getting enough torque on the AC compressor pivot bolt to break it loose. A socket won't fit on it (the pullley is in the way), and an open-ended wrench won't fit squarely (the belt is in the way) so it slips. Here's a picture. Any suggestions? I'm going to take a frustration break and go to Home Depot to see if I can find some inspiration.

Thanks,
Mark.

onebad928s

since your replacing the belt just cut it and use the open end of the wrench it works

Lou
83 928 5speed

Lizard928

agreed with the cutting it part, or bending a wrench to the shape/angle needed

T_MaX

It's been a while but I think I used a box end on the bolt and a short pry bar to lossen.

After it's broke free, turn with open end.

Shane

I did similar to what Curtis did cept instead of a pry bar I used another wrench. Place the box end of a combination wrench on the bolt, then take another bigger combination wrench and loop the box end of it over the open end of the working wrench and have at it.

martin D

Mark

If you undo & take off the crank pulley/damper bolt, the crank pulley will (may need a slight tap to loosen) then drop of with the belts still in-situ, but with enough slack to remove the crank pulley & leave the belts still on the A/C, air pump & P/S pulleys NOT having slackened any of the belts off.I have also put the crank pulley back on after a TB change in reversal of the above having never slackened the A/C, air pump or P/S pulleys.

Shane

What a wonderful idea! Thanks Martin have to give that a try next time.

MBMB

Thanks, all. Home Depot trip turned into a Sears trip, at which I bought an offset 17mm box wrench and a 17mm open-end crowfoot wrench. Neither worked, so I cut off the belt. Still no luck. I proceeded with the job, figuring I might be able to get to the bolt easier with the pulleys off. I'll report tomorrow on my progress; maybe I can get a belt (generic auto-parts store part?) and reinstall the crank pulley with the belt on, per Martin's suggestion. If not . . . well, it won't be getting hot here for a couple of months . . .

BC

Forgive me if I am incorrect, but I THINK that I got to that bolt from under the car.

Play through if I am thinking of the wrong bolt.

MBMB

Max -- I like the artwork.

Brendan -- the bolt is not accessible from beneath, as far as I can tell.

Old & New

You will probably find that if you loosen the bolts on the other side of the compressor (under the car), that you can carefully pry the compressor and it will swivel on the bolt that you cannot reach. Be careful where you put your prybar, as you can damage the compressor if you don't use your head.

Garth S

For another $0.02, remember well Shane's post: Two combo wrenches - in combination works wonders! It aplies to that particular AC pivot bolt - and many others.
In addition, as Old&New noted, there's a large securing bolt up behind the compressor (trusting to memory, although it may have been a bad dream). If this isn't loosened, the adjustor bracket will bend into a pretzel when you mount & tension a new belt (BTW, those Conti belts have worked great for me - years of service, no stretch ).
Crank bolt is yet to come...?

Gretch

Shane, an old field mechanic's tecnique to get more torque out of a small wrench. It is what I was trying to put into words, when I read your post....

MBMB

After taking off pulleys and balancer I had room to get a six-point box-end on the bolt. Hooked up another combination to the open end, and it was off.

I bought a replacement bolt -- I wanted to put a socket-head in instead (thinking I might be able to get an allen wrench in better than a socket, but the screw store didn't have plated or stainless SHs in that size.

Gretch

Would have been a challenge getting enough torque on it with a metric Allen head anyway......Glad you solved the problem..........Props to Shane...