A6 AFB Aux belt tensioner issue

[ainarssems]

Well spotted indeed. I will give them another try in the morning but looks like it might be too expensive, getting a set from Germany works out about £75 which is too much. If it was closer to £33 mentioned earlier I would be happy to pay.

Now looking closer into it I should be able to do it without the special tools just using bits and bobs I have around the garage. Only thing I will need is a high tensile strength M8 bolt to shear the rear bolt. Since this bolt is to be tightened to 30Nm it should be 10.9 tensile strength as the recommended torque for 9.8 M8x1.25 bolts is 25Nm and 32Nm for 10.9 strength. In addition I have found the picture of the original rear bolt N01024022 on ECS tuning website where you can see 10.9 marking on the head. So I will need to get 12.9 tensile strength bolt to screw at the front until the rear one shears. Also I will need a new bolt to put back in the rear as I did not realize I will need a new one when ordered ordered pin, bushes and seals from the dealer.

[adamss24]

Take the whole AC/PAS bracket as there will be wear in the pivoting bush which is machined into the mounting ! As a cheap fix you could try new teflon bushes and a new bracket but if there's wear on the bush that will need replacing !

[ainarssems]

Take the whole AC/PAS bracket as there will be wear in the pivoting bush which is machined into the mounting ! As a cheap fix you could try new teflon bushes and a new bracket but if there's wear on the bush that will need replacing !

I already have new pin, bushes and seals from the dealer, don't see why the bracket it self would need replacing. AC bracket is already off. I was considering to remove PAS pump/oil cooler bracket but that means draining oil and coolant both of which have been renewed recently and and would need new gaskets which I doubt will be in stock at local dealer so a lot of extra expense and time waiting for extra parts. Would cheaper and probably just as long timewise to order T40104 tool then.

[ceilidhalfie]

Hi. It is very easy with the right tool. As you believe the cost is now £75 and I wish to hang onto mine, if you are happy to transfer £75 + the postage to my bank account, I will lend you the tool. Will post it Royal Mail for 1pm next day delivery if you wish. When finished with it, you send me tool back in same condition and I will transfer the £75 back to your account.
If you wish to take up the offer pm me with your mobile and e-mail nos.

[ainarssems]

Thanks for the offer I would happily accept it. I sent PM you but not sure if its gone through as I am new member on this forum and it says that new members are only allowed to sent PM after 15 posts. It did show that it was sent but not sure if you will actually get it. If you did not get it can you send PM with your e-mail address to me please.

[bagpipingandy]

if the pin has worn through the bushes (which it will most likely have) the next to get damaged is the bracket which the bushes are in, any major wear on the bracket will mean any repair may not last, inspect the casting holes once bushes are removed,

i have a home made tool if you want a loan, you do not need to remove anything just draw the bushes out, maybe i should make some up as a repair kit solution!!

regards

Andy

[ceilidhalfie]

Hi Andy. Anarsems has borrowed and returned my Audi tool as above. I think any offering you bring to the market would be well received. If you also came up with a pinch-bolt removal tool (aka the Audi one), EVERYONE would bite your hand off! Even the upper suspension arm balls can be a pain to tease out!

[PaulF2.5TDi]

I did this on my 2.5 A4 without any tool a couple of years back.
IIRC I did remove the aircon pump and the power steering pump pullley but that was all.

I also unbolted the tensioner in situ to give a little movement

As the head had come off the bolt, the pivot came out easily enough I then ran a 1/8" drill down the centre, holding the other end with a spanner bent to fit.
It's a bit awkward getting the spanner in behind everything

An easy-out in the pin took it out.

The bush in the pivot came out with judicious use of a pin punch.

I'm afraid I didn't take any pictures, but it was a bit bad the first time, but when my other car did it it wasn't too bad!

[ainarssems]

First of all big thanks to John (ceilidhalfie) for lending the tool. One of the bushes was just worn through but minimal wear to the bracket and the new bushes went in very tight so should be OK for a while. I would have preferred to replace the bracket but it was not bad enough to justify extra cost and time involved. And I am not talking just about the cost of bracket but would also require to renew oil and coolant+gaskets and o-rings. And extra cost in petrol to keep driving my Sunday car 4.2 S8 instead of 2.5TDI A6 diesel. The original pin and bushes have been in there 180k+ miles so if the new set lasts couple of years and 30k I will be happy.

Finally got the response from TOOLS.EQUIPMENT@VWG.CO.UK which said 'We only sell items to the independents and not to the public'

Also found out that TPS (Trade Part Specialists) also sell tools but again only to trade, not general public. It does not need to be garage, any business or if you are self-employed with VAT registration number you can open trade account with them. Tool cost from TPS is £26.09. It's worth giving these guys a shout if you need anything: www.a8parts.co.uk . They mainly deal with used parts but they have account with TPS and can supply new parts and tools as well. They do quite a bit of business with TPS so they get decent discount rates therefore buying from them often will not be much more expensive then buying directly from TPS.

[All-rod]

It's worth giving these guys a shout if you need anything: www.a8parts.co.uk . They mainly deal with used parts but they have account with TPS and can supply new parts and tools as well. They do quite a bit of business with TPS so they get decent discount rates therefore buying from them often will not be much more expensive then buying directly from TPS.

They are good bunch to deal with and have lots of parts in stock, but are on more pricey side when comes to used parts comparing to others.