@#!&! belt tensioner bolt!

[bassackwards]

I decided to swap out the serpentine belt tensioner pulley while I had everything apart and the bolt stripped out the aluminum tensioner arm while trying to remove the pulley bolt. I guess from 30 years of corrosion and galling.

A new tensioner is $40 and a thread insert kit seems about that much too.

I checked craigslist and the only thing I found was an entire bracket for $80.

Any other options to repair it?

I see a little remaining thread in the hole, it is not totally slick inside there.

 

[sweetk30]

did you turn it the right way ?

i know one of them bolts is LEFT hand thread .

i live up in the rust belt and have never stripped one out .

and did you check rockauto prices ?

 

[diesel4me]

Salvage yards sell things much cheaper...a few nearby even open on Sunday mornings,and I've heard it is one of their busiest days,many people try fixing their vehicles on Saturday and end up needing a "dealer only" part,or the parts stores cant get what they need till monday..

 

[bassackwards]

I could have turned it the wrong way, that would be embarrassing

Rockauto wants $32 + shipping so it would still be the same price as Advance.

I'll check a few junkyards.

 

[diesel4me]

If your lucky the bolts sometimes have "LH" cast into the head,to let you know it is a left hand thread bolt.
Too often they don't though,they let you find out the hard way..

 

[ktmoutfront]

What is this on?

Where in Tennessee?

 

[bassackwards]

What is this on?

Where in Tennessee?

1989 K5 South of Nashville

Looks like this

On this type of setup

 

[ktmoutfront]

Do not have that one. And too far away to make it worth it if I had one.

 

[sweetk30]

yep he is the left hand thread bolt . if it was right hand thread every time you use the HEX head to move the tensioner the bolt would become loose and fall out .

 

[bassackwards]

I'm cheap and on a budget. Is there any reason why I can't drill it out and use a new longer bolt with a nut on the back? I don't see any clearance issues

 

[sweetk30]

make sure its a nylock or better yet metal crimp nut if you do try this idea .

 

[bassackwards]

make sure its a nylock or better yet metal crimp nut if you do try this idea .

I may even be able to stick the bolt through the back and double up nuts on the front to lock it tight.

 

[bassackwards]

I could just JB weld it in there

 

[ktmoutfront]

I could just JB weld it in there

I hope you are trying to be funny.

That's a big no!

 

[sweetk30]

do you want the belt to come off and over heat the engine / loose power steering / no batt charging / maybe even eat a radiator if the pulley goes flying in to it as it comes off .

and you just took off the belt using that bolt to release the tension . do you think j.b.weld is going to hold that ?