Rounded Locking Nut Belt Tensioner

[CountKyle]

My aux belts have started squealing, and having inspected them they're due a change. I've managed to loosen off the right-hand side locking nut (14mm) on the idler wheel no problem, but the other one is rounded and I don't have the space to try and get a smaller socket on.

 

Is this a nut that can be replaced easily if I ruin it by loosening it with vice grips for example?

 

Any advice nut would be appreciated!

 

Cheers

[Keyser]

Yup can be replaced easily, ZmanAlex used to offer replacement nuts (17mm IIRC) with the belt kits - Clarke may do the same now

 

Gotta get it off but a replacement should not be an issue

[Randy_Baton]

Fairly certain one of the nuts is left hand thread but can't remember if its the locking nut or the tensioner screw. The locking nuts shouldn't be torqued that hard. Are you sure its turning the right way?

[CountKyle]

I can't even get the socket on it to turn it!

[kano]

I can't even get the socket on it to turn it!

When I did mine I had to buy some of those ratchet spanners, made the job a lot easier as there's not a lot of room down there..

[Juggalo]

I can't even get the socket on it to turn it!

 

That's why the last guy rounded it off. That left side one, as you look at the engine, is a pig. I couldn't even get the torque wrench in, had to guess using the right side one as a guide.

[CountKyle]

I managed to replace the belts - it's a really easy job once the undertray is out the way. I had to remove one of the radiator fans so I could get a bit more room to bash the socket on - it went on eventually!

 

I replaced both locking nuts whilst I was at as they were in a bit of a state.