I'm trying to loosen the nut on the idler pulley so that I can tighten the belt using that adjustment **** above. I'm having a tough time getting the nut loose since it's such a tight spot right there. Any tips on what tools would be best to use to get the job done?

 

Don't have my car here to look at, but seems like the box end of a combination wrench is what I've always used there. As I remember a socket and ratchet is too big.

 

Losening the idler pully nut is the reason I had to buy my set of ratcheting wrenches.

Win Win

I got the idler bolt off and a good set of wrenches.

 

Its a 14mm nut. Just turn it to the left to loosen it.
Lefty loosey - righty tighty" someone said in here once

 

yea any open or box end wrench will work....but Ratcheting wrenches FTW

 

Thanks guys...it looks like the nut is kinda damaged. I need one of those wrenches that make contact with the flat sides of the nut and not the edges. If and when I get that nut loosened, I can just replace the nut with a new 14mm nut right?

 

I could never find a replacement 14mm nut at Home Depot. So I succumbed and visited the local stealership and got a free nut from them!

 

BlackCat, was your idler pulley nut stripped as well?

 

clockwise is tighten, counterclockwise is loosen for the pulley, but it's REVERSED with the top adjustment ****. Clockwise will loosen the belt, so make sure you go counterclockwise to tighten it. (it's a lefthand thread) You'll figure it out. Also, hit that top **** with some WD40 or equivalent, mine seized up and broke in half. My car was stuck in the driveway for 3 days until I had the chance to make a knew one. Good luck.

 

If I remember correctly, I found it easier to get to the bolt fromm the bottom of the car.

 

Same here. Lift up the passenger side splash guard, wedge your arm way up in there, and you can get right to it. I used a regular box end wrench.

 

Not at all. I didn't tighten it well enough one time and it fell off of the idler pulley. Then I took one of the nuts from the strut tower and that fit nicely. Then I went to the stealership, told the guy I lost a nut on the strut tower and got another nut for nothing.

 

Ditto. I jack up the car, take off the right front wheel, and remove the splash guard covering the engine. Easy access.