My car rattles (OM603) at idle (I mean beyond the normal diesel rattle). At 100 rpm above the rattle goes away. After searching here I determined that it was the strut that puts tension on the idler pulley. My problem is I can't get the bottom bolt off the strut. When you back it out is bumps the pulley before it is out far enough to remove the strut. Is there a way to get this bolt out without removing the fan/pulley?

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K