Jerry:

I mention that because the leading causes of breaking that specific part are 1) not loosening the 19 mm bolt and 2) attempting to re-tension a bad tensioner. It's also possible to put the link on bacwards, in which case it always breaks when you attempt to tighten the belt since it's working backwards.

If the pointer didn't move properly and the link broke while you were trying to tension the belt, the tensioner is shot and you will break the new one the same way.

Two quick checks -- the pointer must return to start position or near it when loosening, and the relative position of the actual belt pulley arm. There is a pic posted of that , I think by "engatwork" a year or so ago, and i no longer remember the correct positions, you may want to do a search at take a look at that thread.

A bit pricey, but it beats a slipping belt!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!