I replaced the belt on my 87 300e and after a few days, it started squealing. I thought I had adjusted it correctly, so I popped the hood. I pressed down on the belt and it was very slack. I then loosened the 19mm nut on the tensioner, and started to turn the 13mm adjusting rod. The belt stayed loose. I looked down at the pointer and it was moving in tune with the adjusting rod. The tensioner appears to be shot. My question is, is this the fault of the tensioner mechanism, the "shock absorber" part of the tensioner, or both? I believe the adjustment mechanism is fine (not stripped) because the pointer moves when I turn the adjuster. Thanks!

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1987 300e "200,000+ and going strong"