Serpentine Belt Tensioner Bolt Replacement?

simsima90 · 09-25-2020, 01:09 PM

Hey guys,

One thing lead to another and I ended up reusing the aluminum bolt for the belt tensioner twice as I had some issues taking out the pin from the new tensioner while setting the tension on the belt. Before I realized the pin needed to be removed I took off the tensioner and reinstalled it thinking something else was the issue as the guide I was following did not mention what to do with the pin. So the new aluminum bolt was torqued to spec then removed and torqued again. Now I am wondering if I should replace it with a new bolt.

So is it possible to take out the aluminum bolt from the tensioner that is already installed and the pin removed then replace with new bolt? Or would I have to purchase a new tensioner since the pin was removed?

Thanks great forum btw!

relative4 · 09-25-2020, 01:29 PM

Reinsert the pin before removing the bolt.

krhodes1 · 09-25-2020, 02:51 PM

DEFINITELY get a new bolt. Given the risk of having the belt come off and get ingested through the front crank seal, I would not even drive the car until you replace that bolt. It's a torque-to-yield bolt, so if you torqued it to spec the first time it's done.

As the other fellow said, just put the pin back in (or a nail or whatever if you don't have it) then take it off and replace the bolt.

simsima90 · 09-29-2020, 01:36 PM

Thank you for the help I was able to replace the bolt after putting the pin back on tensioner.

Just wondering what exactly does the pin do? If you remove tensioner without putting the pin what happens?

09-25-2020, 01:09 PM	#1
simsima90 New Member 5 Rep 11 Posts Drives: E90 F32 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Serpentine Belt Tensioner Bolt Replacement? Hey guys, One thing lead to another and I ended up reusing the aluminum bolt for the belt tensioner twice as I had some issues taking out the pin from the new tensioner while setting the tension on the belt. Before I realized the pin needed to be removed I took off the tensioner and reinstalled it thinking something else was the issue as the guide I was following did not mention what to do with the pin. So the new aluminum bolt was torqued to spec then removed and torqued again. Now I am wondering if I should replace it with a new bolt. So is it possible to take out the aluminum bolt from the tensioner that is already installed and the pin removed then replace with new bolt? Or would I have to purchase a new tensioner since the pin was removed? Thanks great forum btw!
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09-25-2020, 01:29 PM	#2
relative4 Major 612 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: '08 335xi E90 MT stage 1+ Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Reinsert the pin before removing the bolt.
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09-25-2020, 02:51 PM	#3
krhodes1 Colonel 1439 Rep 2,529 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Wagon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 128i [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i Touring [10.00]	DEFINITELY get a new bolt. Given the risk of having the belt come off and get ingested through the front crank seal, I would not even drive the car until you replace that bolt. It's a torque-to-yield bolt, so if you torqued it to spec the first time it's done. As the other fellow said, just put the pin back in (or a nail or whatever if you don't have it) then take it off and replace the bolt. __________________ '11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
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09-29-2020, 01:36 PM	#4
simsima90 New Member 5 Rep 11 Posts Drives: E90 F32 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Thank you for the help I was able to replace the bolt after putting the pin back on tensioner. Just wondering what exactly does the pin do? If you remove tensioner without putting the pin what happens?
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