Rounded belt tensioner nut. Ugh

[Leo99]

I'm such a hack. Used a ratcheting box wrench and a pipe to turn the tensioner nut. The wrench got stuck with the belt 3/4 of the way on the ac hub. The whole thing was stuck and wouldn't budge. Had to get angry at the wrench to get it off the tensioner. The belt was still 3/4 on the ac hub. Tried to loosen the tensioner but the nut was rounded. Started the engine hoping for the best and the belt sat itself on the hub fully. The tensioner is fine but the next time will need replacement. Got lucky. Still a hack job. It was on my wife's RAV4 so she's not thrilled.

 

[fdcg27]

It was on my wife's RAV4 so she's not thrilled.

No need to have shared this with her.

 

[Leo99]

No need to have shared this with her.

There were some choice words and she asked why. She's very attentive when her baby has its hood up.

 

[fdcg27]

There were some choice words and she asked why. She's very attentive when her baby has its hood up.

Opps!
My wife typically prefers the black box model when I touch her car.
This usually works out without any problems.
She does know that if I do get in over my head I'll 'fess up and develop a better plan even if that includes seeking professional intervention, which I have yet to need.
Oh, the shame of it!

 

[D60]

Is this hex or Toyota's weird star bolt head used on some tensioners?

 

[Donald]

I'm such a hack. Used a ratcheting box wrench and a pipe to turn the tensioner nut. The wrench got stuck with the belt 3/4 of the way on the ac hub. The whole thing was stuck and wouldn't budge. Had to get angry at the wrench to get it off the tensioner. The belt was still 3/4 on the ac hub. Tried to loosen the tensioner but the nut was rounded. Started the engine hoping for the best and the belt sat itself on the hub fully. The tensioner is fine but the next time will need replacement. Got lucky. Still a hack job. It was on my wife's RAV4 so she's not thrilled.

Who told your wife. I doubt she looks over your work for rounded nuts or bolts.

I have a Craftsman kit of pound-on sockets with teeth to deal with rounded nuts/bolts.

 

[Leo99]

Is this hex or Toyota's weird star bolt head used on some tensioners?

It's a 14mm nut. Soft metal. Belt tensioners are my nemesis.

 

[grasscutter]

Is the nut supposed to unthread, or is it there just for hooking a wrench onto the tensioner?

 

[Leo99]

Is the nut supposed to unthread, or is it there just for hooking a wrench onto the tensioner?

It's just there to move the tensioner. It doesn't unthread.

 

[Leo99]

Failed to mention that I dropped two 14 mm wrenches into the engine bay yesterday. Removed the splash shield today to service the ATF and transfer case and retrieved the wrenches plus a 10 mm socket that I dropped a few months ago.

The wife noticed that the rear fenders and mud guards were loose. There were 4 clips and 2 screws missing. Another trip to AZ to get clips. Valvoline ATF and Mobil gear fluid are a lot more expensive than I recall them being.

 

[Donald]

Failed to mention that I dropped two 14 mm wrenches into the engine bay yesterday. Removed the splash shield today to service the ATF and transfer case and retrieved the wrenches plus a 10 mm socket that I dropped a few months ago.

The wife noticed that the rear fenders and mud guards were loose. There were 4 clips and 2 screws missing. Another trip to AZ to get clips. Valvoline ATF and Mobil gear fluid are a lot more expensive than I recall them being.

Amsoil ATF and gear oil is even more expensive.

With the cost of a new car, lubricants are cheap. SuperTech or Amsoil.