Re: the brakes saga...

On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:00:28 +0100, Mr.Nice.
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Now to soak in the bath and read the workshop manual, I need to decide
>if the timing belt is something I can do myself.

its a 2.5n/a isnt it?
If so then the timing belt isnt theoretically that hard, providing
that all the bits come off correctly and easily first!
When i did mine i had to deal with 2 snapped bolts, and a bottom
pulley that wouldnt budge (had to get it taken off with a heavy duty
air gun, and i think it took 2 or 3 of them to hold it still while 1
undid..)

If i were you, before you start anything check that you can crack off
the bottom pulley nut (or get someone else to do it for you). After
that it should be fairly easy. (its a 41mm iirc)

Also, make sure that you double check all the timing marks before you
put the cover back on over the belt!. Just for peace of mind!

On or around Tue, 19 Oct 2004 21:06:01 +0100, Tom Woods
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>If i were you, before you start anything check that you can crack off
>the bottom pulley nut (or get someone else to do it for you). After
>that it should be fairly easy. (its a 41mm iirc)

The one on the 300 TDi cost me a new (stronger) swivel-handle for the big
go-away socket (27mm on the TDi)...

place socket securely and fully on nut. Turn engine 'til bar is about 1"
above chassis rail. check socket still firmly on.

turn engine on starter. handle hits chassis with almighty clang, and in the
case of the first one, flies in the air in 2 pieces.

The first attempt broke the old (less strong) handle. The second attempt
loosened the bolt. Note that lining it up with the handle already in
contact with the chassis didn't work... hence the 1" off, which gives it a
shock load.

it might be that the TD one ain't so tight, of course.

Later, I attempted to tighten it to the manufacturer's specs: tighten to
something like 60 ft-lb, then angle tighten 180 degrees. I think I got
about 120 degrees before it wasn;t possible to move it any further with the
newly purchased long (about 30") handle.

god knows how you get it tightened as much as they suggest. I reckon it'd
take a 3/4" drive socket and about a 4-ft long handle.