In replacing the supercharger belt, do I need to use the offical MINI/BMW belt tensioner tool? Or will an alternate belt tool work as well?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=90880118410

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-900035/?rtype=10

 

The first one is OEM style. Not sure how the second would work. If you're cheap, you can just use a pry bar with a socket on one of the tensioner nuts for leverage.

 

The oem style tool makes it easy....it takes a ton of force...so watch you fingers if you use alternate methods...I don't think the universal one will work....but the abouve suggestion might...the socket as a fulcrum, then a prybar.....you would need a second set of hands to put a pin in the tensioner to lock it....if you have a pulley, you should change your belt yearly IMO, so find a mini club, and borrow the tool, or buy one...what you save on labor the first time you diy it, it pays for it self.

 

let me preface this with:

DON'T FREAKING DO THIS!


that said...

when i changed my a/c compressor out... i used a long *** screwdriver, precariously perched on top of a hydraulic jack to push up on the tensioner arm from the bottom. once or twice during this event i thought i was going to lose a finger. but in the end it worked. i don't recommend it though..

 

http://www.promini.com/product-exec/product_id/180

$49 bucks for a oem belt tensioner tool. The cheapest I've found

 

So.......

How much are your fingers worth?

Just askin'...........

 

One Milllllion Dol -- no, one Billlllion Dollars!

 

Thanks for the link!

 

That's where I got mine. They have a nice pad on the handle, and they also include a nice pin for belt tensioner--really a nice setup for that price...

 

Cool, they have one for the 1st Gen Justa Cooper for $49 as well.
I know you're supposed to be able to use a 3/8 drive socket wrench for
the Cooper, but it's a tight fit even with a low profile one.

 

Haynes has a diagram for building one

about $10 of flat steel and few bolts after holes are drilled .. or weld it up.

 

Can you post a scan or a photo?

 

you did not say mother may I

but if you PM I just might avoid copyright violations

 

I built one from a 3 foot length of square stock from Sears; cost me about $6; works fine.