RTH Broken A/C Tensioner Bolt

[Seymour Cruisers]

Hey everyone, was replacing the radiator and belts, and ran into some trouble. The bolt for the A/C compressor tensioner snapped. There's very little room to try and get a tool in to take out the rest, and it doesn't help that it's very rusted. I'm thinking of replacing the tensioner assembly as a whole, but can't seem to find the correct part. Any help on getting the bolt out, or the correct part would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

 

[truthdetector]

Get a new bolt and pulley. Clean up and reinstall your bracket.

https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/unit?c=TOYOTA00&ssd=%24%2AKwHJ_eydr8OlxIjMn4nNlJGFpaK8zcLPztzzwIiOvaq-srS87un5v7-zqKiur7bs686kio6Ku7CpzOrmiM6wzarLy8vHlpSIhZS9h9mO38WA9pLX2J7ewc6AgdfF1LuB35-Snt_FloCSnZOZ3sHYxciTlZLX2JSS2cDfseedhcPM34GFjJSb4teSko7fxtmstLGAgJKSid_G2bCpzOrmiM6wzarLy8vHlpSI2dbfn5jYx92VlYHPzs3e19iQnICWkr2gt8TLttC47Pz1sLvf0NmclJuAloKGAAAAAHILCpA%3D%24&vid=0&cid=4&uid=416106&q=JT3HJ85J0V0168488

That link is for my 1997. Confirm correct parts on Partsouq by entering your VIN.

 

[BTLSHP]

I replaced my A/C tensioner pulley a month ago - well just the bearing. I believe there is a 14mm nut holding the pulley on. Remove it and push the rest out the back. The front of the pulley is just a washer/dust cover. The bearing is 37mm diameter and matches over Trek bicycle bottom brackets, so any bike shop will have the tools to pop the only one out and press in a replacement. Pretty easy to do with a bolt and washers as well.

As to the bolt itself, you will have to get a replacement

 

[Seymour Cruisers]

I replaced my A/C tensioner pulley a month ago - well just the bearing. I believe there is a 14mm nut holding the pulley on. Remove it and push the rest out the back. The front of the pulley is just a washer/dust cover. The bearing is 37mm diameter and matches over Trek bicycle bottom brackets, so any bike shop will have the tools to pop the only one out and press in a replacement. Pretty easy to do with a bolt and washers as well.

As to the bolt itself, you will have to get a replacement

Thank you!! That sounds so much easier than I thought.

 

[BTLSHP]

Thank you!! That sounds so much easier than I thought.

Here is bearing I used. Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTPXGLT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Good, but not Japanese. If you want to pm me an address, I am happy to send you the second as I have no use for it.

 

[Kernal]

@Seymour Cruisers : I'm all for rebuilding parts when possible but with the corrosion shown in the photos IMHO you might consider replacing everything with new, tensioner pulley which comes with the center bolt/shaft, nut, and dust cover, and a new adjuster bolt. Lightly sand or wire wheel the sliding surface for the adjuster while you're in there then slap some grease on the slider and the threads of the bolt when you're done.

 

[Seymour Cruisers]

@Seymour Cruisers : I'm all for rebuilding parts when possible but with the corrosion shown in the photos IMHO you might consider replacing everything with new, tensioner pulley which comes with the center bolt/shaft, nut, and dust cover, and a new adjuster bolt. Lightly sand the sliding surface for the adjuster while you're in there then slap some grease on the slider and the threads of the bolt when you're done.

View attachment 3668237

View attachment 3668238

View attachment 3668239

Thanks Kernal. Think this is the route I'll take. Still trying to get the center bolt out unfortunately. Stuck in there pretty good. Worst case I'll buy the new parts and take it to a shop next week and have them sort it out.


Thanks for all the great advice everyone!

 

[Vlex]

I had the same problem a couple off days ago, while on a big road trip through Norway. Had a noisy AC belt, so wanted to thighten it up… Snap!
Luckily I was able to get the old bolt out and changed it for now with a standard m8 bolt. It’s slightly shorten than the original, but works perfectly.
Mine was rusted as well, but with a lot of lubrication it started moving. Maybe try to wrench it out in reverse with double nuts on it? Or a vice grip to get it started.

Good luck!

 

[ZackR]

Start soaking them with penetrating oil and they will eventually come off. After letting the penetrating oil soak for a while give the bolt a bunch of light taps with a hammer, soak it again, and repeat. Also try tightening the bolt a bit, then loosening.

 

[Broski]

Start soaking them with penetrating oil and they will eventually come off. After letting the penetrating oil soak for a while give the bolt a bunch of light taps with a hammer, soak it again, and repeat. Also try tightening the bolt a bit, then loosening.

This ^^^^
Whenever I in counter a nut or bolt that doesn’t want to move freely I work it back and forth tightening and loosening it little bit at a time.
If it looks rusty like that the first thing to do is get penetrating oil on it.

 

[Seymour Cruisers]

Start soaking them with penetrating oil and they will eventually come off. After letting the penetrating oil soak for a while give the bolt a bunch of light taps with a hammer, soak it again, and repeat. Also try tightening the bolt a bit, then loosening.

That's what I figured. Not much room to get a hammer in there. Just sprayed it down with PB again, and will try in the morning!