Hi,
First off, thanks for the replies, the car is back on the road where it belongs. I posted last Friday about the serpentine belt tentioning spring breaking and I would like some opinions on my fix.
Well, first off, I could not disconnect the bottom of the spring, I ended up using my drimil tool and cut it. Had to wait till monday for the replacement to get to the dealer. That night I had a fun time installing the spring, NOT.
The original spring hooked to the bottom support from the block out. No matter how I twisted and turned the spring hook, I could not get to go on like the original. I ended up turning the hook around and putting it on facing the block.
Once I started pulling up on the spring it applied tention to the belt and it was only with much effort that I finially extended it enough to hook over the top support.
So two questions;
1. Is it a hazard not to have hooked the spring up in the same manner as it was originally?
2. Is there a way to release some of the tention so that hooking the top of the spring is not such a problem?
Like I said, it's on and the car runs just fine, I'm just asking in case something like this happens again and I need to work on it again.
Thanks,
Glen

that was missed, the first time around.
Anyone have an answer in stock?

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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

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Assuming it's a 603, remove the nut from the bolt that points towards the radiator and goes throught the plastic thing that holds the top of the spring. Put a lug wrench or big screwdriver in the top hole of the plastic thing and twist the plastic thing so you can pull the bolt back about an inch, enough to clear the plastic thing. Then twist the plastic thing enough to release the spring.

Taking a cutter to a stretched spring is asking for trouble.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Ah, you should have asked!

Spring breaks are fairly common on that engine at about 175,000 miles or so (both of ours have gone). Also a very easy fix.

Get a fairly long 3/8 extension and put it in the hole on the top spring "block". Loosen the nut, push down on the extension to remove tension on the bolt and push it back. When clear, release the pressure on the extension and the spring will relax completely.

I don't think it makes any difference which way the hook is installed so long as the top hook goes over the pin.

to install spring, hook at top and bottom, push down on the extension to pivot the block back up, push bolt through, release extension, and tighten nut.

I wish MB had used the same system on the M103!

Peter

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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!