A/C belt fitment

[mbzkid]

1981 240D with A/C. This is the type of A/C compressor that is below the powersteering pump.

I've been trying to get the belt onto the pulleys, but I can't get the A/C compressor to move to the end of its adjustment. I loosened three main bolts, and loosened the adjuster.

I can pry the compressor over about 1/4 inch but there is still atleast a 1/2in of travel left. Am I missing something? It seems as though the A/C lines could be holding it back.

It's been a few years since I touched one of these, but as I remember, the hard line that goes up from the fitting has a strain relief bracket that has to be loosened for full adjustment travel.

Just keep looking at both hard lines on the manifold and disconnecting things until you get it to move.

Good luck,

[mbzkid]

Originally Posted by LarryBible

It's been a few years since I touched one of these, but as I remember, the hard line that goes up from the fitting has a strain relief bracket that has to be loosened for full adjustment travel.

Just keep looking at both hard lines on the manifold and disconnecting things until you get it to move.

Good luck,

Thank you for the reply. I believe I had the bracket loose. We ended up turning the fan while holding the belt on, and it popped on. Not sure how he was able to get it on, but my father has alot more experience than I do...

[dmorrison]

I know you got it done. But it should not have been that hard.
The 240D set up is identical to the 300D Turbo. Loosen the 3 rear bolt heads on the back of the compressor. Just enough to allow the compressor to pivot. Then as Larry has said the compressor hoses are held in position on the left frame rail. Loosen the clamping bolt to allow the hose to move. the hose manifold is clamped to the rear of the compressor, do not loosen this bolt unless you want to lose your freon. But on the side of the compressor against the frame rail of the engine compartment is the clamping unit. Allow the hose to move and the adjusting nut cam then be cranked to loosen the compressor.
Putting on the belt is not a walk in the park but it does go on easily if if everything is loose.

Dave

[mbzkid]

Originally Posted by dmorrison

I know you got it done. But it should not have been that hard.
The 240D set up is identical to the 300D Turbo. Loosen the 3 rear bolt heads on the back of the compressor. Just enough to allow the compressor to pivot. Then as Larry has said the compressor hoses are held in position on the left frame rail. Loosen the clamping bolt to allow the hose to move. the hose manifold is clamped to the rear of the compressor, do not loosen this bolt unless you want to lose your freon. But on the side of the compressor against the frame rail of the engine compartment is the clamping unit. Allow the hose to move and the adjusting nut cam then be cranked to loosen the compressor.
Putting on the belt is not a walk in the park but it does go on easily if if everything is loose.

Dave

Yes, it really should have gone on much easier, since there was plenty of adjustment left. I don't recall the A/C lines being clamped to the driver side frame rail.

[dmorrison]

Originally Posted by mbzkid

Yes, it really should have gone on much easier, since there was plenty of adjustment left. I don't recall the A/C lines being clamped to the driver side frame rail.

You are correct, it is next to the frame rail. It bolts to the compressor mount. See the picture below.

Dave

[mbzkid]

I'm still curious about extracting the other half of range of adjustment. It would make the job much easier in the future.

I remember the A/C clamp/bracket being in a spot where it did not allow the A/C line to slide through anymore. That was probably preventing the compressor to move. I don't know why it was at the end of its range of movement, though. You can see this in the 1st picture. The bracket interferes with the bend in the A/C line.