Hi,

I need to replace my one functional fan belt. My problem is that the 10 mm 12 spline torx tool doesnt fit! Someone has hammered on the axle, so that might be the reason I cant get it in there. But, I wanted to ask before I started with violence.... :-)


Regards,

Johan

 

The snuggest fitting, large, soft plastic insulated screw driver that fits through the fan into the alternator (care!) will do nicely. Worked a treat for me and many others. Plus of course the right socket.
Steve

 

Hi, could you please elaborate? I was under the impression that I have to unscrew the outer nut to remove the to fan belt pulley? Is there another way?


Regards,

Johan

 

is how you do it.

 

Probably a lot easier with a belt as slack as that beetle unit.

 

I don't think it's a Torx head you need.
The tool to hold the axle is a Porsche tool specifically made for this.

The screw driver may work too, but for the cost of the tool I prefer to use the correct tool.

Once you can keep the spindle of the fan steady a 24mm (I believe) wrench can undo the nut.

 

The tool needed to hold the alternator shaft is called a 10mm triple square. Its a 12 point. I bought a set of 4 sizes from my local auto parts store. You only need the 10mm size.

The tool itself was a bit too long to fit. It would hit the rear metal in front of the pulley so I used by grinder to shorten the tool about 1/2". Now it works easily and I feel more confident using it than the factory tool kit tool because I can use a long 1/2" box wrench to hold it. The factory tool always felt a bit short for my taste.

 

10 mm.

And this is the other bit that one can use. Snap-On Triple Square Stubby XZN 10 mm to be used with a 3/8 inch drive tool (ratchet, flex handle, etc).
Snap-On part number: BLPXZNM3810.

 

Too bad the original owner (butcher) didn't.

Another method that has been posted by some is to squeeze the belt together to increase tension and thereby friction on the pulley so that the nut (24 mm) can be removed. A second set of hands might help.

 

Thanks Alex. That's a great looking tool. I've ordered one for my tool box.

 

I'd sooner spend money on tools than other stuff, so I bought both, the one you pictured and the one I pictured, from my Snap-On dealer. The short one was about half the cost...go figure.

By the way, I cut the long one down a bit so that I could put a 11 mm socket and ratchet or flex handle on the end of it. Otherwise I'd have to use a 11 mm box end wrench on it so as not to make contact with the rear section of the body.

 

Of course use the correct splined tool to hold the shaft so that you can undo the nut if this is an option...however I was under the impression that the OP had damaged inner splines like mine are. In which case, carefully feed a suitably thick insulated screwdriver through the fan into a slot in the alternator behind, hold firm and use a socket to undo the nut holding the fan belt pulley together.

 

Thanks guys, now it is done! Someone had hammered a flat spot on the edge of the spline, that was why I couldnt fit the 10 mm tool. After a little grinding to get back the original shape I could slide the tool in. The nut was stubborn, but with brute force and a little heat it let go.

Since I have small kids my time in the garage is limited to 1-2 hours every other night or so. Today I did this, yesterday the caps, rotors and engine mounts. Day before that I replaced the four easy spark plugs (upper 1-4). Unfortunately I think the last 8 will take a week to replace. That is NOT fun work.... :-(

On the other hand we have winter over here, so no hurry!


Thanks again!

Regards,

Johan

 

I am happy to say that I did upper 5-6 and lower 4-6 in an hour tonight, thanks to Rennlist! Found the great advice to remove the right engine tin, and with that out it was really easy. Noticed the oil line leaked while in there, and put a second clamp on it. Hope that helped.


Thanks,

Johan