Slimline Ratchets

[JHZR2]

I was trying to replace the serp belt on my 04 saab 9-3 today, and couldnt engage the tensioner. The spacing is so tiny, just so absolutely slim, that a ratchet would not fit, and a tensioner tool couldnt fit because the square drive is fixed and the angle just isnt right.

A super-slimline ratchet would be perfect. Any recommendations?

Im almost thinking a ratcheting wrench with a square-head bolt and a nut... if it could be made to fit... Thats the kind of thickness that it must have... like a good slim smooth snap-on wrench but with the square nipple.

 

[dparm]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...re&tool=all

Would this work? I use something similar for the coil pack wire harness in my crowded engine bay.

 

[JHZR2]

Needs to be 3/8 square and much longer. Right concept though...

 

[The Critic]

Is it possible to remove the motor mounts and drop the engine a couple inches? That was the easiest way to do it on my Saturn, and the process only took me an extra 5-10 minutes.

 

[JHZR2]

I think so. I think there are two big bolts that hold the mount... Might be a good option next time...

 

[The Critic]

What size is the tensioner?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=1557&store=snapon-store

Did you try using two long handled wrenches?

 

[doitmyself]

They make ratcheting serpentine belt wrenches (google), but they seem to run around $60 dollars.

I used these adapters in a swivel gear wrench to remove my Caravan belt tensioner with no clearance for a regular ratchet. Sears and Harbor Fright have them. You can achieve more length with a thin cheater bar (flattened electric conduit works well).


This .................................................................Plus this

Harbor Fright also has these new long, thin ratchet wrenches with "male" 1/4" and 3/8" square drives:

 

[Merkava_4]

Does your belt tensioner have a 3/8" square slot cut into it?

Will this tool work:

Click on this link

 

[JHZR2]

Great stuff. The set-up that do it myself showed looks like it would be ideal, especially if I can wedge the square to hex adapter in the hole by hand.

The lisle part looks good, but I cant tell if the ratcheting part can be adapted to be a male square... upon which it seems to me that it becomes what DIM showed...

That HF wrench thing may be the best of both worlds...

Thanks!

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
... upon which it seems to me that it becomes what DIM showed...Thanks!



Darned! That "DIM" acronym is starting take hold.

According to Wikipedia (THE authority) ......DIM may equate to: Stupidity, a lack of intelligence.

I hear it enough from my wife. Now I have to put up with it here?

 

[JHZR2]

sorry

 

[another Todd]

You need a serpentine belt tool. You can usuall rent/borrow one from the major auto parts stores if they have a loan a tool program. I went to Autozone to borrow one, they take a deposit to cover the cost if you don't bring it back. When they handed me a very complete and nice, brand new serp tool kit, I told them to go ahead and order another because I was buying it instead of borrowing. A very good $30 investment.

 

[The_Eric]

That Lisle tool in the link would work very well. I have the Snap On equivalent and am quite pleased. As a bonus, it even comes with that little extension, which mine doesn't have.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: another Todd
You need a serpentine belt tool. You can usuall rent/borrow one from the major auto parts stores if they have a loan a tool program. I went to Autozone to borrow one, they take a deposit to cover the cost if you don't bring it back. When they handed me a very complete and nice, brand new serp tool kit, I told them to go ahead and order another because I was buying it instead of borrowing. A very good $30 investment.


I got the serp tool and couldn't get it to fit. It needed to be cut off and bent to fit. AC lines and other things are in the way...

The hf ratchet thing seems the best bet.

 

[ddean]

My Ecotec Grand Am is too tight as well to get anything as pictured above to work. What I did was used a 12" 3/8" drive breaker bar with a slim head (ie not like the big chuny HF models) and had just enough room to insert it if I swiveled the drive bit in. This was a $5 Menards made in Taiwan Snap-On clone and a shorter 10.5" Craftsman will work fine. I had to relocated my coolant reservoir tank out of the way for either bar to clear the hoses. You might have to go to the trouble of jacking the car and putting it on stands then pulling the wheel and wheel well liner out. But then you will have four ways to try the breaker bar.