So My car threw a alternator belt lastnite - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

panZZer · #1 04-15-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

My bad. I actually thought you were paying attention to the content of this thread and that your post was relevant to the '84 or '85 SD. But, after I checked your vehicles, I find that you never owned or worked on one of these.

Let's see............the OP has an '85 SD with a/c. I have an '84 SD with the identical setup. We were having a discussion regarding those vehicles and you decide to stick your $.02 about an '82 SD without a/c.

Congratulations on your feat of speed.

Unfortunately it's irrelevant to this thread.

I remain unsurprised, however.

its a cd but no difference as far as hassles.

JamesDean · #2 04-14-2012, 08:26 AM

Man..what did they do in the later 84/85 SD's belt drive thats so much more difficult than my 82's?

Even the 420SEL wasnt bad when it threw its alt belt a few months ago.

Brian Carlton · #3 04-14-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Man..what did they do in the later 84/85 SD's belt drive thats so much more difficult than my 82's?

Even the 420SEL wasnt bad when it threw its alt belt a few months ago.

The mounting bracket for the alternator will not rise by more than 1/2 the available travel distance in the tensioner slot. It hits the water pump discharge. You cannot get sufficient slack in the belts to install or remove them. Removal requires cutting the belt (or removing the fan). Installing them definitely requires removal of the fan.

vstech · #4 04-15-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The mounting bracket for the alternator will not rise by more than 1/2 the available travel distance in the tensioner slot. It hits the water pump discharge. You cannot get sufficient slack in the belts to install or remove them. Removal requires cutting the belt (or removing the fan). Installing them definitely requires removal of the fan.

what about removing the alt bracket for the belt install? I can usually change an alternator in 45 minutes on the earlier models... getting the bracket out of the way might speed the belt change, no? I know the turbo is different on the newer 617's likely it's in the way for this to go smoothly as well...
as soon as I take possession of the 85 SD I'll confirm...

Brian Carlton · #5 04-15-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

what about removing the alt bracket for the belt install? I can usually change an alternator in 45 minutes on the earlier models... getting the bracket out of the way might speed the belt change, no? I know the turbo is different on the newer 617's likely it's in the way for this to go smoothly as well...
as soon as I take possession of the 85 SD I'll confirm...

I never tried it.

If you do remove the bolt that secures the bracket, the entire affair must move closer to the block to get sufficient pulley clearance for the belts. I'm not sure it will do this, but I'd sure be interested if you try it.

Also, to withdraw that final bolt all the way from the rear is not going to be pleasurable in any way.

JamesDean · #6 04-14-2012, 11:27 AM

45 minutes to remove the fan?!

Anyone have a picture of this 84/85 setup?

funola · #7 04-14-2012, 11:44 AM

What year model 617's have difficult to change alt belts? I changed them on my 83 300DT a year and a half ago when the last belt finally broke (bitter end of the dual belts- yeah I kept driving it with only one belt for a long time) and do not recall any problems or cursing episodes. I also do not remember having to remove the fan either.

funola · #8 04-14-2012, 11:50 AM

I do not remember if I had to do this or not on my 300DT.

If there is not enough "slack" in the tensioner to wrap the belt around the pulleys by hand, I always use the starter motor to do it. Sometimes it goes the first time, other times a few more tries. On the ones that are really stubborn, I help it along with a ramp made out of wood or plastic and the belt rides up the ramp into the groove once I hit the starter motor.

JamesDean · #9 04-14-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

What year model 617's have difficult to change alt belts? I changed them on my 83 300DT a year and a half ago when the last belt finally broke (bitter end of the dual belts- yeah I kept driving it with only one belt for a long time) and do not recall any problems or cursing episodes. I also do not remember having to remove the fan either.

I think its on the 84/85 models. My 82 is like your 83.

funola · #10 04-14-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I think its on the 84/85 models. My 82 is like your 83.

Thanks!

Brian Carlton · #11 04-14-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

45 minutes to remove the fan?!

Anyone have a picture of this 84/85 setup?

Removing it is easy. Reinstallation is the trick. It's difficult to get them to install into the holes and start the first thread. Tightening with a wrench is a slow affair............1/4 turn at a time. No socket fits the heads.

Have you done it?

wildest · #12 04-16-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

45 minutes to remove the fan?!

Anyone have a picture of this 84/85 setup?

Here's a partial view. I'm in the middle of a water pump change on the 85.

IMG_2830

There is still some room for the tensioning screw to slide to the loosening end of it's track. I didn't have to remove any of the mount bolts.

Edit: This is for a 300D, so not relevant.

Stretch · #13 04-16-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildest

Here's a partial view. I'm in the middle of a water pump change on the 85.

IMG_2830

There is still some room for the tensioning screw to slide to the loosening end of it's track. I didn't have to remove any of the mount bolts.

If you have any more pictures I for one would like to see them.

Sorry I'll be more specific - any more pictures of the pulley set up on your '85!

wildest · #14 04-16-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

If you have any more pictures I for one would like to see them.

Sorry I'll be more specific - any more pictures of the pulley set up on your '85!

Sure I will, what specifically do you want?

Stretch · #15 04-16-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildest

Sure I will, what specifically do you want?

Well really I wanted to see just how much of a pain in the arse it is to change the belts on these cars with many options fitted. My W123 300D couldn't be easier to work on. I'd just like to see why it was such a pain for panZZer - and if your car's close enough I'll get the picture (so to speak)