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Easy way of removing Aux Belt?

C

CarlStewart

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Location
Warrington
Car
Accord
Is there an easy way to do this? - as per my previous posts have an annoying rattle that may be pulley bearings (i'm on longer drive belt).

An alternator guy looked this morning and suggested I remove the pulleys and he can repair them (would you advise to do this??)

So just need to know if it is just a case of accessing the tensioner bolt and then slipping the belt off (I can then run with belt and see if noise persists), if not I can take pulley's off and get repaired (or go for the shorter belt).

Cheers
Carl
 
I used a swan neck spanner and a piece of tube over it to get the leverage (until I got a proper tool made to do the job). Its too tight to get in with a socket and breaker bar unless you take the engine mount off which is a pain!

I think you'll have to remove the alternator and take it to the bloke to get him to repair it. I think you'll also have to get the pulley from Honda when I enquired you could not get non genuine/pattern pulleys.

There is a DIY on removing the alternator as you have to take expansion tank and fan out to get the alternator out.
 
Thanks Dave - I really wanted you to say "it's dead easy! - just remove one bolt and take off the belt!" - This guy seemed to think that he could repair the pulleys? Is this right, is it just a case of replacing bearings?
 
As far as I am aware you need to replace the pulley as that has the clutch in it. It is just simply getting a spanner on the bolt that holds the tensioner pulley on and pulling it towards you that releases the tension and you can remove the belt. However its getting in with something, look at this thread you can see he's made a bar to go over the socket

http://typeaccord.co.uk/forum/topic/4920-facelift-i-ctdi-alternator-pulley-replacement/

and I used this (a cut down socket welded on a piece of metal with a bit of a bend on it)

tool.jpg
 
Cheers again Dave, I'll have a crack at that tomorrow I think!

Once thing that I have only just noticed is that the noise does get worse if I put the aircon on (aircon hasn't worked for a while, think there is a leak in the system) but although the sound is still there when the AC is off - when i put it on (AUTO) it immediately gets worse. Must be putting more strain on the belt and therefore exaggerates the sound.

It's never easy is it!!
 
Interesting as if there is not sufficient pressure in the a/c system then the clutch on the a/c compressor won't kick in so as far as I know it won't put any extra load on the belt, unless of course there is just enough gas in there.

Your right its never easy mate, make sure you get a good look at how the belt runs if you plan on taking it off as its pretty crazy how its routed.
 
Just tested the alternator - getting 12.44volts with the car off and 14.27v under load - so it would seem my alternator is OK - gonna get a long spanner tomorrow and see if I can identify the pulley thats making the noise!
 
Update - had the belt off and no noise - although spun the pulleys (including alternator) and didn't notice any play or grinding or anything out of the norm.

Should I bite the bullet and get a new/recon alternator?
 
Get a price for just replacing the alternator pulley (price from Honda and then price for fitting by the alternator bloke unless you wanna do it yourself as per the diy on here) then price up recon & new alternator and go from there.
 
Cheers mate - couldn't believe what a pain the tensioner was!! Got it off ok, but had to resort to buying a new swan neck spanner and cutting off one end and putting it into some pipe, as I just couldn't get the leverage!!

Should have prepared before hand but knew what I had to do thanks to your and others homemade tools!!

Thanks again for your ***istance - will ring honda tomorrow and see how much they will rip me off....I mean charge me!
 
Yeah I did that before getting a tool made, getting the belt off is easy, I found its getting it back on that's hardest. I'd ring Holdcroft and mention typeaccord and see what price they come up with I know they are a lot cheaper than using my local dealer with the TA discount plus free next day delivery.
 
CarlStew72 said:
Cheers mate - couldn't believe what a pain the tensioner was!! Got it off ok, but had to resort to buying a new swan neck spanner and cutting off one end and putting it into some pipe, as I just couldn't get the leverage!!

Should have prepared before hand but knew what I had to do thanks to your and others homemade tools!!

Thanks again for your ***istance - will ring honda tomorrow and see how much they will rip me off....I mean charge me!
Click to expand...

Hi there,
I feel your pain as far as the tensioner goes, it really is a pain. If you're comfortable taking the belt off, then the alternator is easy. The difficult part is splitting the alternator without breaking it, but with patience and a few tools it can be done at home.
Regarding the alternator pulley, you're not likely to notice anything spinning it while its on the alternator unless you can hold the pulley centre and stop it from moving. I had to take mine off the alternator before I could have a proper check. When you spin the outer part while holding the centre, it should feel smooth, if it feels lumpy or rough in any way then it is toast.
As an aside, if you're getting Honda or a specialist to change the pulley then I'd get new bearings on the alternator also. Best of luck
 
Thanks for that - I have the car booked in with Honda Warrington on tuesday £128 to supply and change the pulley (they matched HH's price) - which seemed ok to me.

How much extra should I expect to pay for the bearings?? Is there 2 sets on there? And how much extra labour should I expect them to charge?

Cheers Guys.
 
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