Wrench in the system ...well actually a bolt !
 

Well unfortunately today the top bolt on my belt tensioner shock vibrated loose and of course it couldn't have just fallen to earth it had to first get tangled in my serpantine belt, make its way to the fan pulley, wedge in between the engine and the pulley before buring the pulley and now it is resting inside the pulley between the engine and pulley. It wouldn't have been too bad but the bur on the side of the pulley ruined the belt which somehow ruined the intermediate belt bearing pulley. So on to my question, Since I had the belt tensioner replaced about a year ago and the very thought of that thing scares me, can I loosen the alternator remove the belt and pulleys replace the necessary parts, replace the belt, and retighten at the alternator without messing with the tensioner and adjustments? Also how hard is it to change the shock out with the serpentine belt removed?

Thanks in advance for you expertise..

I sure am glad this happened before I left for california!

Shock Access
 

With the serp belt removed, you will have easy access to the upper and lower shock bolts.

I changed my serp belt about 6 months ago and didn't have any problems at all. If you know how to take the fan off, that's half the battle. On the tensioner, loosen the big (19mm I belive) bolt about 2 turns before turning the adjusting rod (13mm). When you go to refit the belt it might seem like the new belt is too small. The tensioner pully has to be pushed over by hand to get the new belt on. That one of the tricks I discovered on my own.

About dropping the upper shock bolt: I did the exact same thing when I was adding a rubber washer to fix a vibration problem. The nut went down into the pully area. It took about two hours using a flashlight and mirror and magnet to fish the nut out. Fortunately I got it before it did any damage.

John,

Thanks that helps. How much should I turn the adjuster to release tension? and will it hurt the tensioner to push it in by hand?

Thanks again,