I have a 97 Cinq SX with a slipping alt belt.I know how to tighten it but has anyone got any tool tips to make it easy job as I am having trouble getting a spanner/socket onto to bolt heads.
Cheers

jack up the car on the front o/s and remove the wheel, then undo the screws from the wheel arch liner and drop it down from the arch, then you can get easier access to the bolts, i usually undo the 2 nearest the front of the car (allowing the alternator to pivot) and then nip them back up so they are just gripping the alternator. Then use a large screwdriver or suchlike to lever the alternator against the battery tray or something (be careful of any wiring) go back to the side of the car and check the tension on the belt (should hold it as the bolts are nipped up) if all is well tighten the bolts on the alternator back up, check the tension on the belt again and then if all is ok re-fit the wheel arch liner, re-fit your wheel and off you go

PS - if you have help then you can get someone else to lever the alternator whilst you tighten it up, saves you going back and forth.

Hope this helps

Lenny

Cheers Lenny I will have a go at the weekend if it's not raining (Weather forcast not to good ).

lol doesn't take too long, i've done it in the rain. Done a lot worse in the rain actually haha i.e. engine conversion. lol

Let us know how you get on

Lenny

mine was slipping and i swapped it for a new one but that didnt fix it. stripped it down and cleaned the two pulleys and its been fine since.

would recommend giving the pulleys at least a simple clean with some parts cleaner and cloth before retightening.

One wee word of warning. Don't over tighten the belt, that will overstress the alternator bearings. If in doubt, change the belt, and in so doing, remove the crank pulley to change it, not the crank sensor.

Cheers

D

Cheers guys,I will try all of the above.Trouble is it's dark when I get home from work this time of year,that's why I will have do it at the weekend.

Buy a torch?

Cheers

D

rallycinq said:

Buy a torch?

Cheers

D

Click to expand...

You must be well accustomed to many hours of car prep in the dark up there...

I'd sturggle to think of something that would wind me up more than fixing a fiat by torch light

Anyway nothing to add tbh all good advice has been taken

jamie86 said:

You must be well accustomed to many hours of car prep in the dark up there...

I'd sturggle to think of something that would wind me up more than fixing a fiat by torch light

Anyway nothing to add tbh all good advice has been taken

Click to expand...

A decent led torch on a stand is compulsory up here. You will remember the thread where two guys changed a head gasket by the light of a mobile phone. Now thats superb.

Cheers

D

Don't rem that one but i am impressed!
They had a torque wrench but no proper lights

Hhahahahaha , that made me laught, changing HG with a torch !!!!! must be such a hard job !!! classic!

Can't say I would like to change a HG in the dark !! , any way job done no more screeching !!!!!! Thanks for the advice guys.