Squeaky belts.

[pete]

Well Ithink it's a belt anyway.

Sounds like a minicab.

Is changing belts a DIY job; a local garage job or a specialist?

Go on say DIY - I've not broken anything for ages.

[BiggestNizzy]

DIY

[woody]

It should just need tightened. I'll be doing mine at some point very soon, oncve I've replaced the (fitted with threadlock) bolt that fell out somewhere on the M8 last week.

[robin]

Woody - if it's the M8 bolt that's near the crank pulley that is missing, you might find that it's not fallen out but sheared off - happens all the time!

Pete - if the alternator belt is just screeching now and then it probably just needs tightening; if it's doing it a lot, it may be really loose because something is missing (e.g. one of the bolts that holds the tension in the belt).

Either way you can do it with relative ease from the drivers side wheel arch (liner out), though the wee 8mm headed tensioner bolt that lives facing the bulkhead at the alternator end of the alternator support arm is a PITA to screw in or out - suggest a flat wee 8mm ratchet spanner ...

Cheers,
Robin

[pete]

Woody - if it's the M8 bolt that's near the crank pulley that is missing, you might find that it's not fallen out but sheared off - happens all the time!

Pete - if the alternator belt is just screeching now and then it probably just needs tightening; if it's doing it a lot, it may be really loose because something is missing (e.g. one of the bolts that holds the tension in the belt).

Either way you can do it with relative ease from the drivers side wheel arch (liner out), though the wee 8mm headed tensioner bolt that lives facing the bulkhead at the alternator end of the alternator support arm is a PITA to screw in or out - suggest a flat wee 8mm ratchet spanner ...

Cheers,
Robin

May take advantage of my mate's Halfords discount card and buy their big box of spanners and sockets. Unfortunately I've damn near bought the thing piece meal...

The Pete Motorsport Complex is coming on well, filling up nicely with tools. I mean I aloways end up taking my car elsewhere to be fixed but it's nice the resource exists. I could perhaps get a grant from Ayrshire council?

[woody]

Woody - if it's the M8 bolt that's near the crank pulley that is missing, you might find that it's not fallen out but sheared off - happens all the time!

It is that bolt, but to be fair, I've not looked in detail. Picked the spacer up from a B road 50 miles after I heard something. The car and the belt are still driving, so it can stay like that until I get time to have a look next week.

Thanks.

[robin]

Just make sure it's a nice thin one - the normal flexi head ratchet spanner might not be best - I have a wee 8+10 completely flat and non-reversible ratchet spanner that's very slim line and is always the tool of choice for "that feckin' bolt".

Or bring the car over to Edinburgh at the weekend and I'll lend you the spanner and drink tea while you do the work

Cheers,
Robin

Woody - exactly what has happened to me twice; on both occasions the other half of the bolt was left in the block. Right angle chuck on a small reversible drill with a left handed drill bit to bite into the bolt and spin it out OR spot weld a bit of welding rod to the bolt and then twiddle it out with that - the bolt is not usually tight in there as the thread is not under tension anymore. Be careful to torque the replacement correctly and use thread lock each time. I bought a bunch of these bolts and just replaced it each time it was out, but have now lost track of the bolts - nothing special though - just 8.8 IIRC - so you can replace with any other M8 bolt that's the right length.

[pete]

Just make sure it's a nice thin one - the normal flexi head ratchet spanner might not be best - I have a wee 8+10 completely flat and non-reversible ratchet spanner that's very slim line and is always the tool of choice for "that feckin' bolt".

Or bring the car over to Edinburgh at the weekend and I'll lend you the spanner and drink tea while you do the work

.

Sir! How dare you try and interfere with me and my buying of more tools than I need or know how to use!!!!

(Thanks for the offer - but I'm working all weekend .)

[woody]

Just make sure it's a nice thin one - the normal flexi head ratchet spanner might not be best - I have a wee 8+10 completely flat and non-reversible ratchet spanner that's very slim line and is always the tool of choice for "that feckin' bolt".

Or bring the car over to Edinburgh at the weekend and I'll lend you the spanner and drink tea while you do the work

.

Sir! How dare you try and interfere with me and my buying of more tools than I need or know how to use!!!!

(Thanks for the offer - but I'm working all weekend .)

Snap.

Are you off next week (I am ) and we can do both, or you can drop the car at mine?

Found a bolt for mine today (unless it's M8 fine?)

[robin]

Woody, I'm 99% sure it's a standard M8 bolt.

Cheers,
Robin

[woody]

Thanks Robin.

[pete]

Just make sure it's a nice thin one - the normal flexi head ratchet spanner might not be best - I have a wee 8+10 completely flat and non-reversible ratchet spanner that's very slim line and is always the tool of choice for "that feckin' bolt".

Or bring the car over to Edinburgh at the weekend and I'll lend you the spanner and drink tea while you do the work

.

Sir! How dare you try and interfere with me and my buying of more tools than I need or know how to use!!!!

(Thanks for the offer - but I'm working all weekend .)

Snap.

Are you off next week (I am ) and we can do both, or you can drop the car at mine?

Found a bolt for mine today (unless it's M8 fine?)

Sounds like a plan. You around Tues after 12 (I'm nights Mon but I get up about 12). We can do them at mine (I have a garage).