Little tip for those trying to deal with the stupid tensioner design. That hole in the upper plastic pivot piece is perfectly sized for the handle of the tire lug nut wrench. I cussed MB 7 ways from Sunday until I realized it was *ME* that was the idiot using the tensioner.

Insert wrench handle. Remove nut. Lever on wrench to take tension off bolt, push bolt back and pull the head from the rear to clear the plastic pivot. Release tension on wrench handle. Remove spring.

Then you can do whatever you need. Re-routing the belt is still a major ***** but the lower pivot can then spin freely without obstruction.

The FSM makes changing the lower tensioner pivot into a major ordeal. Not necessary.

Removing the fan clutch, however, IS a major ordeal, especially if someone jackhammered it on like they did mine!

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]