Idler pulley gas cartridge replacement

[muleears]

My car rattles (OM603) at idle (I mean beyond the normal diesel rattle). At 100 rpm above the rattle goes away. After searching here I determined that it was the strut that puts tension on the idler pulley. My problem is I can't get the bottom bolt off the strut. When you back it out is bumps the pulley before it is out far enough to remove the strut. Is there a way to get this bolt out without removing the fan/pulley?

[sixto]

If you remove the belt I believe you can turn the tensioner enough that the lower bolt clears the fan pulley. I'm able to remove the tensioner without removing the fan.

Sixto

[muleears]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.