Help! 2005 LT35 Alternator Belt fitting

[t4tommo]

Hello All,

Can anybody pleas tell me the best way to compress the alternator belt tensioner on a 2005 LT35 2.5L TDi 109.
Just fitted new alternator and cant work out how to compress the tensioner to fit the new belt.
Much appreciated any help, done hundeds of belts in past and never struggled before!!

[Stuey_b88]

I used mole grips on the top where the pulley bolts through

[boisty]

Once you have slackened the tensioner off you should find what I think isn 17mm hexagon on the bracket of the tensioner. Pop a spanner or socket on this and this will allow you to move the bracket on it's axis to compressed the tensioner spring ( the spring looks like a little shock absorber) . Keep your force on the spanner until the belt is fitted then release the force and the tensioner should slowly retention itself. Remember the relighted the fixing nut.