Stupid problem

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

Ok, so about 2 weeks ago I was attempting to change my power steering and a/c belt. Right to the point, I ended up breaking the bolt that tensions the pully. This on the 420A and its a long left handed bolt. I've haven't been able to find it at any auto parts place, Home Depot, and plus I called the dealership and they want $119 for the whole pulley set. Hell no. I've also called some junkayards and no luck either. I'm not spending $100 for one damn bolt and I really need the power steering and a/c back because I'm trying to sell the car. Any ideas?

[AbsoluteGTR]

I know exactly what bolt your talking about, Im surprised that you eclipse still has it, my car and many others usually lose it by now!

Anyways, The bolt is their for a purpose but is NOT needed THAT much! I have to periodically re-tighten my belt, but its no biggie.

When I have to retighten the belt, all I do is just loosen that first bolt, take a crowbar and lean it up against the pulley, therefore pushing it back against the belt and at the same time tighten the bolt real good!

PS: Another good thing to do is to put a piece of wood right where the other bolt used to be (this will prevent the belt from becoming loose again!

Hoped that help! Good luck!

[ned032002]

That's too bad you can't pick one up at a junkyard? Have you tried going to a self pull junkyard where you can go and get it? It seems like describing the bolt would be hard and if the owner of the yard doesn't want to deal with it then he just might say screw it and say no he doesn't have it. IDK just my 2 cents. GL

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

Well all the junkyards I called I simply asked for if they had any 2nd gen Eclipses and ofcourse all I got was no. But GTR thats a good idea, I'm gonna have to try that......

[david-b]

Mines long gone too. The crowbar works the best. Just make sure you put a rag or something padded under it so it doesn't scratch the car. Just pry it out, and tighten the bolt that goes through the pulley.

If you torque it pretty good, it shouldn't come loose. I've had to take that off many times (like when I held a rag too close to the belt as the car was on and it got sucked in), and I've had no problems with it squeaking at all. It's usually good to have 2 people do it. One for the crowbar, and one to tighten the bolt. Good luck.

[XeVeNskyLiNE]

Hah, got it fixed. $119 from the dealership kiss my ass! Ended up using a hammer for the crowbar effect and socket wrench to torque it pretty tight. Managed to saw off a peice of wood to keep the tensioner from sliding out. Works just fine for now, man, power steering almost feels like cheating when you compare to not having it, lol. Thanks for the help guys.

[gthompson97]

i just drilled out the hole and tapped in regular threads, then you can replace the bolt as many times as you need.