07 S4 serpentine belt replacement

**Cygnets** · 07-29-2016 08:15 AM

So I have my whole front end in service position atm, I have about 3-4" of room to fennes, but is there any way to get the damn belt on without loosing the tensioner? Because apparently my bolts for it are stripped.

Help please lol

**alcatranz518** · 07-29-2016 09:27 AM

That really sucks to hear, unfortunately to my knowledge there isn't.

The sole purpose of the tensioner is what you are trying to work around. This probably isn't what you want to hear but the tensioner will have to be replaced, and if the stripped areas are on the block face you will have to retap them in order for this to work reliably. I know it isn't great, but because of what it takes to get to that point it should only take an extra hour to fix it at most (which I can speak from experience you will spend twice if not 3x's longer trying to find a work around). Additionally, if you work around it, it may cause future issues or will just have to fixed next time.

The tensioner isn't terribly expensive and you probably can get one locally if you are in/ near more of a larger city.

**jakeoboy67** · 07-29-2016 09:34 AM

are you talking about the threads or the head of the bolt ?

**Aok303** · 07-29-2016 09:36 AM

you have to loosen the tensor, if your old belt has lost some of the inside ribbing it will be a few mm larger then a new non stretched belt. i think the tensor moves like 3 mm when tightening alone
i would tell you to go to auto zone or advance they have extractor tools sometimes you can rent or you can buy them then just get the bolt if still good, or order all new tensor its not that bad of a price.

**jr1415us** · 07-29-2016 12:41 PM

There are 2 bolts holding the tensioner to the block, and one which is used to hold the pulley at the correct tension. If that one is rounded off, just unbolt the entire unit and let it drop off. Then you can remove the set bolt on the bench, or replace the tensioner.

**caliizaktiv** · 07-29-2016 02:05 PM

I'm going to leave this here... Easiest bet to get at stripped bolts on the front of the block is to bite the bullet and take off the ENTIRE front end. http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...7#post11129007

**Cygnets** · 07-30-2016 05:01 AM

I bit the bullet and took the whole front end off. Had to buy all new fluids, but hey she needed a bit of fresh fluids.

Surprisingly everything came off correctly and went back on with no problem. Autozone messed up and gave me the wrong belt, but after the new belt it was amazingly easy.

Thanks guys!!