96 e300 replacing items on belt
 

Did some weekend wrenching.

Replaced the water pump, fan clutch, tensionor spring and damper and of course a new belt. Spring was broken and squeal was loud by the time I got to renewing. I did not replace the tension pulley. Seemed to rotate smoothly. Maybe this was not smart.

Hardest part of this job was getting the hard to reach bolts on the water pump and mastering the technique for the makeshift tool combination I used to get the fan assembly off and back on (8 mm hex bit with 1/4 inch hex shaft(harbor freight), 1/4 in end wrench, socket extension with deep socket to slip over the end wrench, and of course a pulley holder(harbor freight).

After all back together the car is much quieter. Still hear some noise on the belt. Visually it looked like maybe the power steering pulley is not pulling in a straight line. Should I renew the power steering pump or check the A/C compressor. I couldn't see any problems that might be caused by the tension pulley which is between the crankshaft pulley and the alternator.

Still the vehicle is operational and I deemed the work a partial success.

Pointers to any threads on what scope of work I should consider if/when I change the A/C compressor on the 96 W210 with a 606

Thanks

Aside from the tensioner pulley, did you check the tensioner arm itself? It should pivot smoothly about the crank axis only. Wobble is bad, roughness, clicks or steps when pivoting is bad.

Replacing the AC compressor shouldn't be difficult in a 210 since it's not difficult in a 124. You might have to remove the sway bar which is just a few bolts as long as the front axle is level. If the issue is the pulley or clutch, you should be able to tip the driven end of the compressor downward and work on it without touching the refrigerant charge.

I can't imagine a problem with the PS pump pulley that isn't also causing a front seal leak. Is the back side of the pulley wet or grimy?

Sixto
MB-less

You can just replace the AC pulley or pulley bearing. The w210 7sb16c AC compressor is mechanically identical to a denso 10pa17c with some electric changes. Every compressor related component is widely available for Toyotas. I put a Toyota coil, pulley and clutch on mine without replacing the compressor for about $50.