Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 17:00:49 GMT From: Bob <uctraingNOSPAMnospamanet.com> Subject: Re: How to get the idle pulley off
On 22 Mar 2004 16:39:32 -0800, davidbr93nospamail.com (Dave) wrote: >I removed the wheel and associated plastic covers. The cover exposed >the cam pulley but not the idle pulley I'm after. The pulley I'm >looking at is directly above the cam pulley. I've got about 20mm >clearance b/t the torx bolt and the frame. About all I can think of >is to get a set of torx bits and hope to a 1/4 wrench or possibly vice >grips on the bit from above. I'm not sure what SAAB was thinking when >they put this one together. My apologies. The idler pulleys on a '97 are installed with hex head bolts. You can get between the frame and the pulley and remove the bolt. The new pulleys come with a torx bolt. Most NG900ers discard the new torx bolt and use the original hex head bolt. The tensioner pulley has a torx but it's rarely replaced in DIY world. I'm guessing that in '98 they went to the new torx-only design. Since Saab mechanics already had a special tool (guessing) for the tensioner, so it was actually easier for them (and the factory, no doubt) to use a torx. I'd expect that if you put a torx bit in there you could get a 1/4" wrench on the bit and loosen it that way. It will have to be a short bit though since the bit will get pushed back as the bolt loosens. Maybe just break it free then use long nose pliers.