Started Wednesday to replace the Serpentine Belt for the 2.6, after removing the belt I checked all the pulleys to see if they turned okay and did not make any bearing noise. The Idler Pulley had a little play and the bearing sounded very very dry and the Accessory Belt Tensioner Pulley had no play, but did have a little bearing noise. So I had to order from Autohaus the two pulleys plus the covers for both, used two-day delivery ($9.38) came Friday. Also had to go the Mercedes dealer to buy a new bolt for the Idler Pulley, it is a hex type where you use an 6mm hex wrench to remove, I had a major problem with that bolt, someone in the pass tried to remove it but did not have the correct hex wrench size, therefore the wrench could get a good insert. My options where:
1) Remove the whole fan clutch bearing bracket and have the bolt drilled out, this had several problems associated with it, one was that one of the bolts for the bracket was behind the pulley, maybe hard to get to that one bolt out, note I did not remove the radiator.
2) Called in a welder, and have a metal handle welded on the end of the bolt and then remove the bolt by the handle. Note the bolt in recessed in the pulley, cannot put a vise wrench on it.
3) Maybe put JB Weld on the end of the bolt and insert the wrench and let it dry overnight and then give it a try.
4) Ask the "Car" gods, and hope they would intervene and solve the problem!!
I used options 4 and just asked the "Car" gods for help, I gave them a gift by buying two power steering filters for the car.
Friday I give it one more try with my 6mm hex wrench and the bolt came off!!!!
OH PRAISE THE CAR GODS!!!!!
Now today I am doing nothing since it is very cold here and I do not want to work on the car. I am just enjoying life (with the help of Hennessy Cognac), all praise to the car gods!!