Hi Guys,

My car shredded its drivebelt (caught in time - no disaster) - and the reason was that my drivebelt tensioner arm was tilting under load.

I have removed it and its bushings are shot. the big hex bolt the tensioner rotates around has a bit wear mark where the bushings rotate on them - I have measured it and it comes around to 23.95mm where the bolt is original and 23.90mm where the bushings rode on them. Is the bolt bad to use now?

Of all the belt tension arms I have come across on the net and on this site shop, I see the arm only - the Meyle brand shows up with the bolt in it. Anyone here used that product?

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

If a bolt is obviously worn I'd use a new one, rather than having to think about if it's going to fail while you're driving... I've used Meyle parts on my Mercs, they are a German company and good quality.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

belt tension arm collapse

Replace the bolt. It's expensive - I think around $100.

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

are you talking about the bolt in the arm that bolts to the timing cover, or the one in the tensioner wheel that bolts to the end of the arm?
the one in the arm to the timing cover should come with the arm, it's not removable I think. I have several from parts yards though. lemme know which one you need.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

The older style tensioner has a bearing and the bolt is captive to the tensioner assembly - the later style tensioner is shaped different and uses bushings on either side inside the housing to rotate on the bolt. The bolt is a separate part from the tensioner.

I placed an order for a Meyle tensioner, it comes with the bolt.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

The part will arrive tommorow - just wanted an opinion, the old tensioner arm was loaded up with black greasy residue inside (most probably from the PS reservoir leak I had before)

Does the tensioner arm take some lube on the bushings or should it be installed dry out of the box.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

the new tensioner arm has failed again the shock and spring are good but the arm is now as worn as the old one.

When I installed it it had about a smidge of play but controlled the belt and everything nicely, It started to make its rattly sound recently and move at a very rapid pace - yep its shot.

Anyone experienced such quick failure of the tensioner arm?

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

mine took about 3 years to fail after replacement- putting the new on in tonight

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1995 E300 diesel

ugh, the bolt is worn and so is the spacer- fortunately my local parts place has it for $20 not $100 http://www.bimmerparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1995-MERCEDES--BENZ-E300&yearid=1995%40%401995&makeid=63%40%40Mercedes-Benz&modelid=6381%3AMBC%7C1570%3AED%7C10000115%40%40E300&catid=240909@@Cooling%20System&subcatid=242446@@Tension%20Lever%20Bolt&mode=PA

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1995 E300 diesel

Removed two of these tensioner arms, one from OM606.910 and the other OM606.962.

Both were on the way out mostly due to drying of lube across main bearing, therefore pleased to see replacement part now has a grease point fitted.

It's well machined with a good overall finish, comes with main bearing bolt plus plastic dust covers, German made.

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David


1996 Mercedes S124 E300TD - 129k - rolling restoration project -

1998 Mercedes W210 300TD - 118k (assimilated into above vehicle)

I used heavy grease in the arm too when I reinstalled mine, but the other item that makes these arms wear out is the alternator. You will need to install a clutched pulley on the alternator, once you do this replacement arm will last forever.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Just need a grease gun now..

Zulfiqar, you popped up on a couple of catalyst related threads, would appreciate your comments on my S124 exhaust set-up which is causing a fair bit of head scratching (not in EPC).

I'll post a few pics in the next day or two, should have a response from German exhaust specialist by then.

Thanks,

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David


1996 Mercedes S124 E300TD - 129k - rolling restoration project -

1998 Mercedes W210 300TD - 118k (assimilated into above vehicle)

Not sure if this will help anyone, but perhaps useful for reference.

The two shocks removed had different faults, piston failed on one while the other top bush worn and noisy.

Any excuse to use my newly purchased workshop press, worked quite well as no metal retaining lip, only a slight edge to the rubber bush itself.



End job, worth a go.

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David


1996 Mercedes S124 E300TD - 129k - rolling restoration project -

1998 Mercedes W210 300TD - 118k (assimilated into above vehicle)