Hi,

One of the most challenging repair jobs has just happened to me! I have a 93 300SE 3.2L and I purchased/installed a new tensioner.

Everything worked fine for a few months until one day, on the freeway, the belt snapped. I bought a new belt and thought, problem solved. Until I loosened the 19mm bolt that goes through the tensioner.

It broke inside the bracket. Now after doing tapping and easy-out, it won't come off.

I had to remove a couple of pulleys and the steering pump out of the way to have unobstructed access to this broken bolt. No luck. I am afraid of trying to drill the bolt to pieces and damage the threads inside the bracket. I am not sure that those autozone thread repair tools will do the job. What do you think? Any suggestions. Unfortunately for us, we only have 2 cars and both of us work.

I'm having a hard time find a tool to get enough grip and torque on the easy-out to get the broken part of the bolt to turn loose.

Do you know where I can purchase a new 19mm bolt and what the actual thread size is? I can't believe that bolt broke! I thought those bolts were supposed to be pretty sturdy!!

Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thank you!