1990 300te

My 2 hr job has turned into an all day affair. My original intention was just to replace the V-belt. I was following steps from the MB Manual that instructed to turn the main bolt on the tensionor 1/4-1/2 turn before turning the adjustment rod. I inadvertly turned the bolt on the pully and then attempted to turn the adj rod. Of course it stripped it. I was able to get replacement rod from my local dealer (way too expensive). I cleaned up all parts and reassembled onto car.

My original question was in regard to the long nut on the adj rod and whether the flange at the bottom of the nut goes on top or underneath the bracket that holds it. I asked this question because when I took it apart originally, the flange was underneath the bracket. I was hoping someone has done this repair or that someone could look at the tension adjusting nut (located just next to the power steering pump reservoir) and tell me if the flange is above or below the bracket.

Logically, it seems like it should be located above the bracket. So, that's the way I just put it in. All seemed OK. When I turned the nut counterclockwise the dial moves towards the drivers side fender.

I installed the 3 pulleys and now I am unable to get the belt on because the pully for the water pump almost touches the tensioner wheel. Not enough clearance to even get the belt on. I have tried turning the adjusting nut, and although it moves the pointer, the wheel does not seem to want to adjust.

I tested the tensionor in a vise before install and it seemed fine.

What am I missing here? I am now officially at the point of frustration. Each try at a fix means disallembling a bunch of stuff. (My hands are getting sore and the wife is giving me the evil eye).

My understanding of the tensionor is that at rest, out of the car, the pointer should be on the left hand mark. This is the tensioned position in the car. When you turn the tensioning nut counterclockwise, the rod is pulled up into the nut and the tensioner moves into the slackened position.

Off to in-law's for Father's day now. I won't be back till Sunday night but I will check messages from there if anybody has suggestions or questions. Then Monday morning, it's back to the greasy hands to get this thing running again.

Happy Father's day to all you dads out there.

Mark