300E fan belt
 

Help, I'm loosing my mind. I just replaced the Bearing Bracket on my 89 300E. This bracket contains the bal bearing assembly for the radiator fan shaft and I can't get the fan belt back on. I have checked to make sure that the belt path was correct and it is. I have tried prying the tensioner pulley using a crow bar but it just seems too tight and I haven't been able to get the belt on. The reason for replacing the Bearing Bracket is that the bearing within was spun. I'm thinking that the failure was due to the belt being too tight. I'm just amazed at this design requiring such a high belt tension. Those type of belts typically don't need to be that tight. The pros must use a special tool. Please advise.

Thankyou for your support,
SteveD

Slacken the large bolt (17mm) that goes through the centre of the tensioner. Then you loosen the adjuster nut (13mm) and the pulley moves back so you can fit the belt. Set the adjustable plastic arrow at the end of the cast triangle and tighten until it's at the other end. Finally tighten the 17mm bolt.

You need a service manual bad, put your crow bar away. If you can follow the directions of the above post, your good to go.....

On our W201, even the above procedure didn't provide enough slack. Removing the lower alternator attachment bolt and loosening the upper was simple enough and allowed the belt to ease right on.

Steve