How to Remove Tensioner on Toyota Corolla with Broken Tensioner Bolt

[@metricmine]

Thank you so much for this. I didn't know these tools existed. I normally work on my own car, but got stumped by this. A "professional mechanic" wanted to remove the whole engine from the car. This video saved me from that. I bought the Dewalt right angle adaptor with the longer flexible shaft, that allowed me to get in there without loosening the engine mount. Got a stubby drill bit set, plus drill guide set to ensure the drill bit is centered on the bolt. Took me a couple weeks to get the right tools off Amazon, plus figuring out what I'm doing wrong, and the bolt finally came out.

[@nathanbrodien1357]

thanks bro just broke my bolt and was just about in tears until I saw this video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dannystevensjr7711]

In addition, I unbolted the front motor mount (14mm) and was able to lift the engine much more for more room to work. Thanks for this great video, it helped me fix my Corolla. What a great outcome. Thanks again

[@jaylesworth12]

Did the same thing on my 99 Corolla and it came out perfectly, saved me a good chunk of change, thank you for this video.

[@carpentarhartley8624]

Did a second one on a matrix and it broke off in the block, bought a dewalt 90° cordless drill add on w 3/16 drill bit and a set of "speed outs" as seen on tv worked super easy made the broke off bolt a 30 min job. Total cost 54.00 bucks in tools and 3.60 bolt

[@luiszidane2966]

man can you give me the links for the tool and everything you buy for this work.

[@stevenk6572]

Great video! We replaced a broken bolt on tensioner on 99 Corolla using techniques in this video. Very helpful, gave us confidence to try this without using the shop We also used penetrating oil to loosen broken bolt. We also used oak wooden dowel to help center our drill. Thank you!

[@always4nu]

Thank you for posting this. This just happened with my daughters 05 corolla. I repeated your method and it worked like a charm!

[@2j_rel946]

James Campbell awesome. that's good to hear.

[@DRIVEJA876]

Bro... Mine is a 2000 corrolla... I change tthe tensioner on 30th Nov. 2018 and the 19mm bolt broke on the 7 November 2018 - while driving! WAS ABOUT TO SENS THE CAR TO RECYCLING BUT I SAW YOUR VID AND I'M GOING TO TAKE MY OWN RISK... THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP!

[@DRIVEJA876]

@DD BB hey bro... I sold it to someone who was willing to take on the challenge... Thanks for the follow-up...

[@thecompound9677]

THANK YOU! I'm a average at best mechanic (weekend warrior) and I was tasked to replace this tensioner by myself. I usually have the help of a friend who is a great mechanic, but not this time. I was going insane figuring out how to get that bolt out while it was against the chassis. This video explained it and the job is done. Your video is much appreciated!

[@2j_rel946]

The Compound that's good to hear. Im glad this helped fixed your issue.

[@jordan6556]

On my 2010 Toyota Corolla repair manual said to release tensioner hook turn crankshaft to counterclockwise then clockwise. Now I have 2016 Toyota Corolla 2xr-fae should turn clockwise to release the hook

[@Anthony_in_Bloomington_Indiana]

For everyone who did this, did you use the Dewalt right angle adapter? I see it uses hex bits. I looked at dozens of these right angle adapters. Some of them have chucks, which twist onto the bit. I am wondering if using an adapter with a chuck and a drill bit would be too long, as there is so little space to work. My car is a 2004 Toyota Corolla. Thank you for your help! 😃

[@2j_rel946]

The bits with a chuck seemed like it would be too big to fit in that space. The Dewalt was the lowest profile and the hex bits won't spin inside the jaws.

[@fireyourrocketts]

Great video. We have a 2004 Corolla, same system but that big bolt to the belt tensioner screwed into the block does not have to be touched at all to release tension as this is done by putting a 19 mm socket on the bolt like shape in the tensioner and pulling forward; the whole tensioner pivots by a bushing on that big screw that broke which is secured to the block with 168 Ft pounds; it does not interfere with the movement of the tensioner. I've seen some videos here where people lose that screw for whatever reason; if it is lubricated in the bushing the tensioner suppose to move freely in it. Seems at the time to bolt it back into the block a force greater than the required one was applied which explain why it would snap like that, in any case it is a very good video showing what to do if that happens one way or another as not everyone knows how this tensioner works.

[@andybutler6968]

thank you thank you thank you.... I was going to send old car to dump. will try this tomorrow.... also I will use a "plug" to center the drill bit.

[@williamsantiago8149]

Great vídeo brother , today is my turn and I will be that job thanks for the idea good video

[@ElBrodito]

Do you unmount just the passenger side? You mention that you can lift 2mm, but that seems not to be enough to work on the hole. Is it possible to lift it a little more, without having to unmount the front too?

[@jeff119990]

i wish i wouldve seen this a few weeks ago. i used left hand drill bits to get it out without needing an easyout.

[@Anthony_in_Bloomington_Indiana]

2j_Rel: The bits with a chuck seemed like it would be too big to fit in that space. The Dewalt was the lowest profile and the hex bits won't spin inside the jaws. . . . . . . . . . . Thank you. I was wondering if the kind with a chuck would be too large. What kind of drill bits did you use? Were they titanium or cobalt? I just took the piece of the bolt that broke off, put it in a vise, and tried to drill through the end with an Irwin drill bit. The bit barely made an indentation! I searched on these Irwin drill bits. Surprise, they are just high speed steel, which explains why the one I used did such a poor job of drilling through this very hard bolt. I'm thankful for your video. This is such an unusual problem. I was really stuck on what to do before I watched your video. A Happy Weekend to everyone, Anthony. 😀

[@carpentarhartley8624]

I had to pull timing cover and supporting "tins" to remove cover as had none of these tools. Used a hack saw to cut a slot and 10mm wrench and shank drive screw driver and came right out.

[@pjtutorialsPH]

Did it work, bro? I have the same problem and the mechanic just told me that he's doing the same as you did.

[@carpentarhartley8624]

@@pjtutorialsPH problem i ran into on job one was tentioner shoe which was problematic to set up chain see my second comment for easiest way

[@jorgeplatero7084]

Same situation where you got the hardware stuff ?

[@JustPlay310]

Happened to me a few days ago, bolt snapped in the bracket. I just took off the tensinor and the bracket and did the same thing. Now im just waiting for a new tensioner to arrive and then its back to work.

[@silviediotte2048]

It’s happening to us 2006 Toyota Corolla. No garage wants to used this method. The dealer is asking 6,500$ ,the less one 4,000$ . They are taking the full motor out / sadly and the others don’t want to touch it,

[@kellywhitewolfconnell781]

1998 corolla Tensioner bolt (17mm) broke off in block. What size tap extractor do I need?

[@callmebackfriday2]

Going to work on the tensioner /pulley soon but can someone tell me how the tensioner bolt got broken so that I can avoid the same mistake? turn the wrong bolt or wrong torque or soft metal on bolt or wrong socket ?...etc Thanks

[@ElBrodito]

They tend to break with time. That's what causes to replace the tensioner most of the times.

[@29madmangaud29]

Oh my gosh,,,,,, and my wife's '06 just had this happen. I've those same easy-outs, but I must get one of those drill adapters, the De Walt,,,, or similar!~ When I first seen, checked it out,,,,wow, thought it was the pulley bearings,,,, then I began to loosen the tensioner to remove the belt,,,and > OH SHIT! The thing is broken into the block....wow> "ENGINE PULL"......... $1,000's? > Till your vid,, thanks : I'll attempt it myself!

[@TieuXuanTu75]

my toyota avensis was Broken Tensioner Bolt to day ..it was dyp insize engine block ..very difficut take uot ..uff ..you show me how fix it ..,,dewalt drill what tools you user ?,,i can buy it on e -bay

[@joonajks]

May I ask, Do you remember what size drill you used to drill the first hole? Did you had to go to the hardware store multiple times because of the drill?

[@ElBrodito]

It's a 9/64 and extractor bit #2

[@enriqueavelar7479]

Nice job! Where are you located? I am having the same issue with my Corolla. I would love to have you fix my car

[@jeffweaver955]

My God you are a miracle.

[@danlisbony6037]

How long did it take to extract, once you drilled the hole? It doesn't seem to be biting at all.

[@2j_rel946]

Dan Lisbony not very long. The hardest thing is getting the hole started.

[@octaviocortez4508]

How did you set the hole for the drill? And did you use left handed drill bits?

[@2j_rel946]

I just drilled in the bolt a small amount with normal drill. The screw extractors i believe are left hand. So when you drill counter clockwise the extractor grips deeper on the bolt.

[@juanzelaya9367]

excellent video congratulations, good job

[@truepatriot8751]

Great job

[@farwestgarohills3831]

You don't need to go underneath. You reach it just standing there where he was first. But he tried to remove the wrong nut with 17mm socket. You need 10mm socket with bendable drive or a 1/4 short drive to loosen the nut. Just put your both hands behind the engine where the tensioner is located. Some third party made tensioner may not go in easily. You have to loosen a nut of Serpentine belt tensioner next to it and push to side with anything available. Be careful not to loosen the nut completely; you will have a hard time. Now your tensioner will go in easily. Tighten to nuts and done. Crank engine, 2 to 4 times, until you ear cluck sound. You can start engine.

[@salsalvador4945]

Far West Garo Hills I think you are referring to the timing chain tensioner that is behind the engine. Btw mine won’t come out after I removed those two 10mm nuts. Seems stuck.

[@eusticejones437]

What's the name of the small drill

[@2j_rel946]

It is a right angle attachment from Dewalt.

[@salsalvador4945]

What kind of drill but did you use? I tend to snap mine when I try to drill out bolts. Nice video btw👍

[@farwestgarohills3831]

@Sal Salvador ! it's a broken screw extractor which have counter-clockwise drill threads.

[@wallyandsue]

Good video. Thank you.

[@igichan]

What size bit and extractor??

[@ElBrodito]

#2

[@lordvega763]

Is there a washer between the tensioner and the engine?

[@2j_rel946]

Lord Vega when i did this there was not a washer washer.

[@DRIVEJA876]

Bro I was thinking there needs to be a sleeve around the bolt just before tje threading (sleeve like those used on the spring bolts on exhaust flange) BECAUSE there is a space ~1.5mm around the bolt before the it gets to the threading... Notice the bolts tend to snap in the threading because there is nothing supporting the smooth section of the shaft before the threading... I HONESTLY THINK THIS WAS INTENTIONALLY DONE BY TOYOTA OR IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW!

[@29madmangaud29]

Hey Mr. "THANK YOU" > So MUCH! For making this Vid. It helped me save? I don't know how much $$!!!! Mine,,,, broken, now all "FIXED" > thanks to you making this Vid and giving me the confidence to do it myself! The hardest part,, was all of the preparation , disconnecting stuff, removing things out of the way,,, wow, but , all done, and done RIGHT! Thanks so MUCH!

[@29madmangaud29]

Dude,, I'm right there, I haven't removed the Motor Mount yet... everything else is ready to go...... /////Let you know how it comes out!

[@rcfundyer5739]

Same thing happened on my 05 vibe also same motor

[@MrAwsomeshot]

this shit just happened with my girlfriends 01 celica. I had to replace the alt in a dunkin donuts parkin lot like 2 months ago and I thought me reefing on that tensioner may have weakened it. Then a few days ago she hydroplaned and jumped a curb with her front wheels and shit started squeekin. I just dug into it tonight and sure enough that muther F'r was broke in the side of the block.

[@rufinoescobar5853]

Same thing happened on my 01 celica What was the easiest way for you to remove the sheared bolt

[@MrAwsomeshot]

lol did u ever get urs out? I bought he ra $700 saturn SL1 to drive it was cheaper than paying someone to fix this at the time. I am contemplating fixing it and getting the celica back on the road.

[@farwestgarohills3831]

Do not follow this method. You don't really need to remove anything else. Just read my previous comment with some instructions. That's very easy; not this tough, he showed.

[@zarbaldes4656]

Poor video, I thought bolt is stripped removal