Hi

My alternator has gone recently on Astra 1.7td 2003 Isuzu and I was
surprised to find that also the power steering goes at the same time!
Anyway changing the alternator hasn't been a problem but I wondered if
someone knows how to remove and replace the alternator belt?

I removed the belt by taking off the pulley at the top that drives the
coolant pump. That was after I ran into some trouble trying to work
out how the adjusting wheel works.... at least I assume it is
responsible for the belt's tightness?? I undid the 17mm bolt on this
adjusting wheel that is situated in the middle of the whole
arrangement. As soon as this came loose the adjusting wheel came out a
bit and I could see what looked like a spring arrangement. It is then
that I decided to take the top pulley off instead.

After putting the bolt back into the adjusting wheel but without fully
tightening it, it seems to have only a small amount of movement
perhaps 5mm either way so I do not understand how this tensioner
works.....? Or have I not put the adjusting wheel back in correctly as
it seems to have no spring atall????

So I would be grateful if someone would tell me how the belt can be
tightened or is it just done by the usual method - by levering the
alternator away and tightening the top alternator bolt. Is there a
special tool?

I hope this makes sense and thanks very much for any replies.

Jon

Hi no worries I've sorted it. I didn't know that the adjuster wheel
needs to be levered away and there is a point where it can be locked
in position- I used a split pin. Didn't know the tech term of
serpentine belt either. Cheers

Jon