[andycannon]

My drive belt is starting to squeal on the odd occasion, can anyone tell me where the adjuster is to tighten it up is please ?

97 9000 2.3t cse Manual

Many thanks

 

[zeppelin]

it is self tensioning,there is no manual adjustment.check condition of belt for oil contamination ,wear etc.

 

[andycannon]

So the only real cure is a new belt then ?

Any idea what price a new belt is ?

Cheers

 

[rhino2.3t]

..the belts are only a few quid, but it could be the tensioner on its way out (mine was)..
great cars.. once youve spent a fortune sorting them out

 

[Duncan Edwards]

A few quid, blimey Saab drivers must be richer than I thought.

Belts are usually around £30 plus the VAT from the Saab dealer or about £15 from one of the specialists. You need to be very accurate about engine size, year and aircon fitments as there are a range of belts.

As for the belt tensioner don't be tempted by the £50 hydraulic tensioners that some specialists sell, they are simply the hydraulic ram part of the unit. If you haven't got the redesigned unit on the car get a new one from Saab. It will set you back about £120. I learnt from experience when my repaired one snapped and I drove over it (with new belt) in the New Forest. You really need it fitted by a dealer with the special tool, the Haynes manual suggestion doesn't work for replacing the tensioner, just a belt. Get the dealer to fit all new bolts as well, mine cracked under the strains of the old damper.

Regards,

Duncan

 

[rhino2.3t]

having had new timing/balance gear.. ive since moved all belts/fluids/tyres/exhausts/brakes/particle generators/flux capacitors into the 'few quid' column sorry for any misunderstanding caused hehe
..but the serpentine belt was £30..

 

[adrian]

As for the belt tensioner don't be tempted by the £50 hydraulic tensioners that some specialists sell, they are simply the hydraulic ram part of the unit. If you haven't got the redesigned unit on the car get a new one from Saab. It will set you back about £120. I learnt from experience when my repaired one snapped and I drove over it (with new belt) in the New Forest. You really need it fitted by a dealer with the special tool, the Haynes manual suggestion doesn't work for replacing the tensioner, just a belt. Get the dealer to fit all new bolts as well, mine cracked under the strains of the old damper.[/b]

Its easy (IMHO) to fit the new damper pulley combination yourself, no special tool required. Well, special tool for getting the belt on and off but a suitably placed tyre lever does that job. Having done this job a few times I can now do it on my own - but I have got long arms.

As for the auto tensioner - I've replaced one so far (plus the idler pulley) and I'm sure I got the damper only which I rebuilt into the damper pulley combination with a new (seperately supplied) pulley wheel, but not sure if I used Saab dealer or ECPs. Guess Elkparts would be able to do the genuine Saab bits for somewhere between the two.

 

[mark e]

Yes, you can normally manage to replace the damper yourself. The Haynes made up tool looks like it should work, or you can try a tyre lever or I've used a lareg G clamp successfully.

I replaced mine with one from ECP. You get what you pay for obviously, because it's not as good as the OEM ones- it doesn't a) put enough tension on or B) dampen as adequately.