hey everyone... im new here, but i have a question already...
i have a 2003 mazda protege LX and the alternator belt let loose on me last night. i plan on replacing both the belts, but my problem is this, i cant loosen up the tensioner bolts. i've tried everything, and looked everywhere on the net that i could, and i have not come across any sites taht discuss this problem. what should i do?

what i have done so far is loosen both the 6 inch long tensioner bolts... one is a 12mm and one is a 14mm. but the bolts that hold the alternator and the a/c to the bracket to let it swing are so tight that they keep wanting to strip.

any ideas?

thanks,
Space_junk

 

aaahhh. stop.

There is a bolt that secures the tensioner nut assembly (so it can't walk loose). Loosen the bolt on the side of the tensioner. You have the long tensioner bolt - but look to the side where the tensioner slides (to loosen or tighten the belt).

If the belt doesn't start getting slack now 'push' on the alternator. If it won't budge - - loosen the long bolts through the brackets that hold the alternator. Similar procedures for the power steering(? IIRC) - anyway the other one...

go to http://www.floptical.net/mazda/ for more info.

A difficult job on this car - but certainly not impossible.

 

Welcome to the forum. Good luck on the repair.