79 – 240D with the alt. adjuster that has all-thread in an L shape. Don’t know how many other types there may be? Anyway the all-thread is toast and you need to order the entire bracket in order to get the adjustment nut. Before I go that route I’ll just try to clean my nut up or cobble up a replacement and order the bolt. Problem is that the fan hits the bracket in all but one position and I think the adjuster will pull the alt off center as it just pulls from one side; although, that is right in line with the pulley & belt. When the belt is tight enough to not be able to turn the fan I can’t really tell if it’s hitting or not.
If I’ve got it right the bracket needs to be able to swivel from the inboard bolt, or should that one be made fast before running out the adjustment? Just now the belt got tighter when I did the final torque to everything and my adjustment was a prybar, so all’s well or now. Just doesn’t seem proper – are the adjusters a problem, as somebody has been cranking on those threads quite often too strip them out?

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89 300E
79 240D
72 Westy
63 Bug sunroof
85 Jeep CJ7
86 Chevy 6.2l diesel PU

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius

Yes, there are dummies out there that try to adjust the belt tension using the adjuster WITHOUT loosening the alternator bolts first, thus ruining the adjuster.

You did what I would have done, simply loosen the bolts, pry into place and hold tight while tightening the bolts.

You should be able to find the adjuster mechanism on a wrecking yard car.

Good luck,

adjuster. i had one made. took a washer and piece of all-thread to welder. after weld i had a perfectly suitable adjuster. a back-up plan to the visit to the 'auto recycler' thought.