so I had to take a quick drive to the auto parts store to get a belt today, so I decided to replace the shoelace with some women's stockings just to see if that "wive's tale" would do the trick as well. I borrowed (well now that I cut them, I guess I bought 'em) some stockings from my friend - I used 1 leg tied once around the driveshaft and fan pulley and it worked great. I'd say far better than the shoelace - the shoelace worked, but the stocking really worked! you can stretch them to a tighter tension than the shoelace and it held really well too, whereas the shoelace was stretched out after my trip last night. i'd recommend a pair in everybody's trunk! although spare belts are best, this would be a very quick and "tool-less" way to get back on the road. and in this case I was able to just go around the driveshaft and fan pulley directly, without messing with the alternator- so the stockings are a custom fit to any job..! I'll be keeping the remaining leg of stockings I didn't use in my trunk!

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1981 240D ... 265k
1977 240D ... 265k
1977 240D ... 250k