S3/K-Series alternator belt adjustment

[Chris71]

Please excuse (another) numptie question, but...



Aside of the bolts at the top and bottom of the alternator (yes, I know the lower one's missing in the photo!) what else holds it in position? I tried to tension the belt previously and I couldn't get much movement, so I presume there's a third fixing below or something? Don't have a jack handy at the moment to take a proper look from underneath, but I tried having a feel around and I can't find anything obvious. Must be something there though...

[Red Seven]

There is a jacking screw on the out side of the lower bracket, and its more than a bit awkward to adjust!use either an 8mm ratchet spanner, or a 1/4" drive 8mm socket (you won't get anything else in!)

[Chris71]

Many thanks! I presume given the name it jacks the assembly in or out so I don't have to keep the belt taught manually while doing the other bolts up?

What are people's thoughts on the belt? It's been squealing for a short while on start up ever since I got the car a few months back (if not before) - worth changing it pre-emptively?

[Incorrigible]

The belt looks in pretty good condition from the photo. No harm in carrying a spare though

For future reference you only need to loosen the bolt (that you've removed) to do the adjustment, but I guess you already knew that

[1st_petrolhead]

how tight should it be?

[Chris71]

Incorrigible said:

The belt looks in pretty good condition from the photo. No harm in carrying a spare though

For future reference you only need to loosen the bolt (that you've removed) to do the adjustment, but I guess you already knew that

Erm, actually I have a bit of an admission on that - it losened itself! I did losen it before, but I thought I'd done it back up to full torque. Apparently not - that's how I found it.

So, anyone know off the top of their head what size bolt I need?

[fergus]

Chris

Bring it over. I'll source a suitable bolt for you. It doesn't really matter what is used if you use washers on each side of what's being clamped.

[Chris71]

fergus said:

Chris

Bring it over. I'll source a suitable bolt for you. It doesn't really matter what is used if you use washers on each side of what's being clamped.

I've got a bag of assorted metric nuts, bolts and washers, so should be able to sort out something here. Trust me, I will come and harass you about something before too long though!