dbarber45

Just a shout out to all the contributors of the DIY for adjustment/replacement of RX300 alternator belt. I read all the posts I could find on this forum and everywhere else and said to myself: "Self, you can do this." Well, after about 3 hours of back and forth I finally got a new belt on my '01 RX300. She blew the old belt last week and I lost a/c and battery charge. As all who commented on the DIY expressed, patience is a virtue. Over and over I asked myself how anyone could get a wrench, much less a hand, into some of the spots where the three troublesome bolts are located. For me, trial and error were the keys to success. I tried all of the suggestions from others on the DIY and some worked for me, some didn't. I could not figure out how to get the belt back on over the 3 pulleys until I finally tried backing off the adjustment bolt as far as I could. When I did that, it slipped on without a hitch. For those interested, I used a Bando belt part #6PK1040 as that is what I could read on the small shreds I found from the old belt. As they say, if at first you don't succeed then try and try again. Tightened to the 90 degree turn test since I didn't have a tension gauge. So far she is quiet as a mouse. Will follow suggestion to re-tighten after a short breakin of belt.

lexina

Thank you for sharing. I had the same problem. My gator belt is slightly shorter than the oem belt. The gator belt is somewhat cheap and has flaws, and would not recommend it. Took me like 20min to get the belt seat properly on the pulley.

rapaulino2

Thanks to all the contributors to this thread. I found myself on a different problem. The tensioner bolt seems to be fused with the block that holds the tie the tensioning position and the tensioner bolt. Here are my questions:
1.- If I unscrew the bolt that hold the tension in place completely, can I pull the tensioner bolt completely? I understand that I would not be able to remove the bolt but I should be able to cut it with a metal saw (???).
Is there any other solution?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

maxSteel

Removing the retaining bolt will free up the tensioner block but the tensioner bolt goes through a hole in some other support before it enters the tensioner block.
See this picture: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...l#post10923774

Have you sprayed the tensioner bolt with some PB blaster or something? You can get to both sides of it on the tensioner block.

salimshah

One more thing to consider is that all other fasteners must be loosened before you touch the tensioner. If there is no wiggle room for the alternator the tensioner will self destruct if force is applied.

When you put together the new setup, face all fastener and adjust tension. Once the tension is set, go ahead and fasten the blots and nuts on the alternator.

Salim
Note: Make sure you disconnect the 12v battery. +12v wire to the alternator is directly connected to the battery.

rapaulino2

Yes; I waited for 2 days before trying to turn it but still stuck.

salimshah

It does not compute. 2 days or 10 minutes does not matter. For tensioner to work, the alternator must be allowed to pivot and for that the routing nuts and bolts must be loosed enough to allow the alternator to be displaced.

If the tensioner is forced with the alternator fixed in place then the threads of the tensioner will be mauled for ever.

Salim

rapaulino2

Thanks Salim; The pivot bolt and the fastening bolt are both loose. The fastening is so loose that when I try to turn the tensioner bolt, it feels completely loose. Can you confirm that in order to bring the alternator down, I have to turn the tensioner bolts clockwise (turn to the right)?

maxSteel

Turning the tensioner bolt clockwise increases belt tension