I've been wondering for a while if I'm missing a screw on my belt tensioner hinge(?)- see the circled area of the pic. The hole there is threaded but that forked metal piece seems too flimsy to stand up to the vibration there or do any real work. I haven't seen a parts diagram yet that I can tell for sure if a screw goes there. I'm going to be replacing my alternator soon so I'll be popping the belt off - staring at the tensioner hinge made me wonder again.

If there is supposed to be a screw there - does anyone know what its purpose is and the consequence of it being absent (I've had the car for about 24k miles)?

Also the bolt/screw that attaches the tensioner hinge to the head appears to be in backwards - all the diagrams I have seen show that bolt inserted from the back and the nut on the front. Could someone confirm that for me?

thankyouverymuch in advance.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1992 300SD 140.134 Sold

There should be a bolt there. It holds the clamp on the tensioner pivot so it can't slide off. Highly unlikely it would slide off with that big bolt holding the spring.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

Is that piece, where the missing bolt goes, the pivot point?

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1992 300SD 140.134 Sold

It's the pivot point and upper chain tail retaining pin.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

There is NO bolt or screw in there. The pin is to hold the timing chain rail and is threaded for the pin puller, that's all. There are 2 pins, one is recessed further down. There is no harm to put one in there ( 10mm bolt ) if you wanted to but it does not do much. No 60x engine comes with a bolt.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

Boy, did I get that wrong

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

No bolt there on my car, but you do have some extra piece that is held in place by the top bolt for the shock. That metal bracket with the forked part over the pin (circled in your pic) is not present on my car.

Yes, the bolt/screw through the pivot piece and the head is backwards from mine. I doubt there's enough clearance on the back of the hole for you to change that around, unless you remove the intake manifold.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

If the bracket is missing then it is a good idea to add a bolt to the pin. The direction of the big thru bolt makes no difference in the grand scheme of things.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I think the forked piece is only on there to hold the pivot in place when the main bolt is removed. The one on my car actually straddles the pivot pin and pushes against the plastic base (see picture).

I agree about the bolt being backwards. Should make it less fun to take tension off the belt (already a not-fun job). Unfortunately I think the coolant fitting would have to come off to turn it around, probably why it is backwards in the first place. Doesn't affect function, just makes it a bit less convenient.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

You don't have to take off the bolt when it's installed pointing forward. There's enough room to pull it back to clear the plastic pivot. You'll only lose the nut if you have a Peter Billingsley 'Oh Fudge' moment on the side of the road.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

So instead of just pulling the bolt back to clear the plastic, it looks like I'll have to remove it in order to get the tension off the belt. hmmm...

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1992 300SD 140.134 Sold