How do I tighten belts?

[Manitoba Delica]

Hey Folks, I have a squeeling belt issue, after getting new ones put on..(they must have loosened) I am sure it is the dual belts ( central and attaching to a pulley to the turbo side and low on the motor...probably steering or water pump.... What is the process of tightening these belts?? Thanks for your help..

MAtthew

[FalcoColumbarius]

I usually pull with my left hand and push the nail end in with my right.

No, seriously, though...

Firstly I would like to draw your attention to"L300 Delica Downloads". In there you will find manuals that explain some of these things. Like on Page 16:11 of Engine Electrical ~ there is an exploded view of the charging system that demonstrates how the belts spool. The dual belts you speak of are for the alternator. The way to get to them is by a) putting your wagon on a hoist or b) putting your front axle on jack stands (make sure they are the correct jack stands for the weight of the wagon). Once you have the front axle of the wagon in the air remove the skid pan from the bottom of the axle (two 14mm bolts & four 12mm bolts). When you take this off you might find it a bit tricky getting it back on when you've finished. The trick is to loosen off the leading edge of the air scoop which is two 14mm bolts on either side, this allows you some play when trying to get all the bolt holes to line up when replacing the skid pan, do you follow? From underneath the wagon is where you can tighten off the alternator belts. You're going to need a stick, like half an axe handle is size, to wedge the alternator whilst adjusting the nut.

Hope that helps... smiles.

Falco.

P.S.: If you have a lift you might get away without the jack stands. Make sure everything is secure, like the E brake. If the Wagon falls on you.... odds on that you're dead. I'm sure that you know that... smiles.

[nxski]

You can also reach through the flap on the inside of the drivers side wheel well and use one hand to hold the alternator in place and the other to make the adjustment. I found this very tricky and you need flexible hands but didn't require jacking etc. I think I had my skid pan off though.
Leave it to the inexperienced to find new but not necessarily improved ways of doing things

[yojimbo]

I always take out the drivers floor.

To each his own.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I always take out the drivers floor.

To each his own.

What do you use ~ a cutting torch or a big pair of tin snips?

Falco.

[nxski]

Wish I could take off the drivers seat, I think I'll have to take a grinder to one of the bolts as it just spins freely and won't come out

[yojimbo]

I always take out the drivers floor.

To each his own.

What do you use ~ a cutting torch or a big pair of tin snips?

Falco.

Hole saw, cut a hand sized hole where i need it, and weld it back in after

[yojimbo]

Wish I could take off the drivers seat, I think I'll have to take a grinder to one of the bolts as it just spins freely and won't come out

It is very handy, have you tried levering under the seat frame to see if the bolt will come through or the threads will bite?

[nxski]

Wish I could take off the drivers seat, I think I'll have to take a grinder to one of the bolts as it just spins freely and won't come out

It is very handy, have you tried levering under the seat frame to see if the bolt will come through or the threads will bite?

I've tried prying to no avail, it's as of the threads in the middle are stripped but the end is grabbing. It moves in and out a bit but won't come fully out. Sorry for being off topic and unintentionally sexual

[yojimbo]

Wish I could take off the drivers seat, I think I'll have to take a grinder to one of the bolts as it just spins freely and won't come out

It is very handy, have you tried levering under the seat frame to see if the bolt will come through or the threads will bite?

I've tried prying to no avail, it's as of the threads in the middle are stripped but the end is grabbing. It moves in and out a bit but won't come fully out. Sorry for being off topic and unintentionally sexual

Hehe, sounds a real pain. Not easy bolts to get either, with their nuts stuck in those nooks and crannies.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Wish I could take off the drivers seat, I think I'll have to take a grinder to one of the bolts as it just spins freely and won't come out

It is very handy, have you tried levering under the seat frame to see if the bolt will come through or the threads will bite?

I've tried prying to no avail, it's as of the threads in the middle are stripped but the end is grabbing. It moves in and out a bit but won't come fully out. Sorry for being off topic and unintentionally sexual

Sounds as if there is another nut underneath and the original female is stripped? Which bolt are we talking about (front R; front L; rear R; rear L)?

Falco.

[nxski]

I believe it's the front right but I'd have to check. There's definitely no female nut underneath, I would have noticed that when I took the seat off last time.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Okay. The bolt (the male) goes into a hole. This hole is the female. Typically the hole is threaded or more often has a nut (also female) welded to the underside of the surface that the bolt is penetrating. You may have noticed that the bolts are usually lower grade, I believe this is so the easily replaceable bolt strips before the thread in the chassis strips, or the welded nut breaks away from the fixed surface and just turns with the bolt. I would try again with the slot screw driver under the bolt & washer assembly (twisting up on the bolt shaft side) as you loosen with the socket (lefty lucy).

Falco.

[nxski]

I see what you mean now. I have tried that already but will attempt again in the near future to see if time has been kind to me.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Also, if it is a nut having broken off, it could be seized to the bolt. Maybe try some penetrating oil. Although I have removed the seat many times I have never paid attention to what the bolt is actually threading to.

Falco.