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  #1  
Old 01-21-2013, 02:43 AM
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Two questions

My belt squeaks. I need a new one. I can NOT find it for the life of me, but someone once posted a video on here about stretch-to-fit belts. Does anyone know where I could buy these? They had a cool tool and everything to take them off. Considering I can't easily get it off, a stretch-to-fit would be ideal!

Also, I bought some new (used) rear strut mounts to replace mine. I'm 103% sure they've both collapsed. How hard is this of a job to do? Are there any how-to's? Pictures always help. I'm pretty good with mechanical jobs as long as I have decent directions, and I've got a handful of friends that could help out. I just don't want to spend 5 hours due to my lack of a lift and significant power tools and end up with no end result when I could take it to Monroe and have it done for 50 bucks.
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2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
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Delta Speed side skirts
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  #2  
Old 01-21-2013, 05:57 AM
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Re: Two questions

Can't help much with the belt question, but I have changed my struts. The rear suspension in the SVX isn't difficult to change, just very tedious. In order to access the top mounts you need to remove the shelf behind the rear seats (Where the speaker grilles are. Whatever that area is called.). Getting that off is a bit of a puzzle. As I recall it means removing the rear seat back and cushion, the interior side panels, and then the shelf. You'll see two foam blocks, under which are the 3 bolts that hold each strut in place.

The lower mounts are almost a joke by comparison in terms of time. Jack up car, remove wheels, detach brake line bracket, remove the two large mount bolts and voila, you're done.

Usually you want to undo the lower ones first and have a helper outside the car to catch the strut as you undo the top ones.
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92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
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  #3  
Old 01-21-2013, 06:42 AM
Blacky Blacky is offline
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Re: Two questions

There's way more than 50 bucks labor involved in the job. If Monroe actually quoted you that price by all means have them do it. 5 hours of your time is about right for the first time doing it.
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  #4  
Old 01-21-2013, 10:14 AM
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot View Post
Can't help much with the belt question, but I have changed my struts. The rear suspension in the SVX isn't difficult to change, just very tedious. In order to access the top mounts you need to remove the shelf behind the rear seats (Where the speaker grilles are. Whatever that area is called.). Getting that off is a bit of a puzzle. As I recall it means removing the rear seat back and cushion, the interior side panels, and then the shelf. You'll see two foam blocks, under which are the 3 bolts that hold each strut in place.
All reasons that anything involving the interior of the car I keep far away from the hands of regular mechanics. What I'd do if you have to have the struts done at a shop is take apart the interior yourself, so they don't have to and therefore don't have the opportunity to ruin anything on the inside of the car (breaking clips, etc.) Then take the car to the shop, ready to go, and once you get it home, put the interior back together yourself. Best compromise.

As to the question about the belts, just buy a correct belt.
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  #5  
Old 01-21-2013, 12:20 PM
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Re: Two questions

I've removed the entire rear interior multiple times before. I've kind of got the hang of it now. Do I need a spring compressor for the job? I can get one easily. And Icing, my tensioner pulley won't come off, so I can't exactly get a new belt on that doesn't stretch. :[
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #6  
Old 01-21-2013, 12:44 PM
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by B 4 You View Post
I've removed the entire rear interior multiple times before. I've kind of got the hang of it now. Do I need a spring compressor for the job? I can get one easily. And Icing, my tensioner pulley won't come off, so I can't exactly get a new belt on that doesn't stretch. :[
Yes use spring compress you do not want the top nut flying off like a bullet.
To remove the drive belt(the one for power steering) loosen the tensioner pulley bolt as well as the slider bolt. Though the slider bolt will actually tighten to remove.
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  #7  
Old 01-21-2013, 12:48 PM
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by B 4 You View Post
I've removed the entire rear interior multiple times before. I've kind of got the hang of it now. Do I need a spring compressor for the job? I can get one easily. And Icing, my tensioner pulley won't come off, so I can't exactly get a new belt on that doesn't stretch. :[
Why won't the tensioner pulley come off?

If you can get a spring compressor, then definitely do that. The rear springs are pretty weak, but still better to be safe.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project

'97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod

Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album
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  #8  
Old 01-21-2013, 04:38 PM
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by icingdeath88 View Post
Why won't the tensioner pulley come off?
The mechanic who used to live by me and would put tires on for me tightened my "fan belt" because it was squeaking once. He had this obsession with using 3 feet of leverage, and now I can't get the bolt off, not to mention that it's completely rounded off. He tightened the bolt that is in the middle of the pulley, not the long tightening bolt, that one works fine and does help a little.
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #9  
Old 01-21-2013, 04:44 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by B 4 You View Post
The mechanic who used to live by me and would put tires on for me tightened my "fan belt" because it was squeaking once. He had this obsession with using 3 feet of leverage, and now I can't get the bolt off, not to mention that it's completely rounded off. He tightened the bolt that is in the middle of the pulley, not the long tightening bolt, that one works fine and does help a little.
So why not replace it and fix the car properly?
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  #10  
Old 01-21-2013, 04:47 PM
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Re: Two questions

I can't get it off
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1992 Pearl White LS
Owned since 2009
175k Miles
STi Airlift Performance air suspension
2005 WRX manual swap
Rear wheel drive
K-Staff front bumper
Delta Speed side skirts
JDM clear corners
Smallcar grille
Subaru XT steering wheel
Subaru XT shift knob

First bagged SVX in the world
Worlds first SVX on air suspension.
Custom made (by myself) spare tire subwoofer.
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  #11  
Old 01-21-2013, 05:03 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by B 4 You View Post
I can't get it off
Remove the bracket with idler from the car and then you should be able to put vice grips on it, hammer on a socket, or pick some other way to get it off.

Or drive it up here and give me about 30 min and I'll just swap another bracket with idler on for you and mess with yours some other time.
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  #12  
Old 01-21-2013, 05:30 PM
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Re: Two questions

^^^^^What he said. Stretch belts are ghetto! I found an easy way to change the top mounts too. Remove interior, loosen strut bolt, jack car off the ground, loosen strut mount blots (note bolt placement). Replace with new mounts, align strut with mount, lower car, tighten strut bolt, install interior, done. I had to make a tool with a deep well socket welded to a wrench so you can get an allen key through it to tighten the strut bolt. It really helps if you have a max access socket set or obviously an impact gun. Some may think this method is unsafe so do it at your own risk. It took me a little over an hour an if you're careful isn't all that unsafe.
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  #13  
Old 01-21-2013, 06:04 PM
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Re: Two questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by michael View Post
^^^^^What he said. Stretch belts are ghetto! I found an easy way to change the top mounts too. Remove interior, loosen strut bolt, jack car off the ground, loosen strut mount blots (note bolt placement). Replace with new mounts, align strut with mount, lower car, tighten strut bolt, install interior, done. I had to make a tool with a deep well socket welded to a wrench so you can get an allen key through it to tighten the strut bolt. It really helps if you have a max access socket set or obviously an impact gun. Some may think this method is unsafe so do it at your own risk. It took me a little over an hour an if you're careful isn't all that unsafe.
That's a pretty ghetto way to change suspension parts. I've seen springs come loose from wall mounted compressors with pretty dramatic results, so I'd be hesitant to try it myself. But I can see how it would simplify the job.
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92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
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  #14  
Old 01-21-2013, 06:45 PM
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Re: Two questions

What, SVX = giant spring compressor! Seriously tho, they decompress after only a few inches. You can practically load them by hand!
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92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration
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  #15  
Old 01-21-2013, 07:34 PM
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Re: Two questions

Ya, I think the one I saw let go belonged to a 1/2 ton pickup. Either Ford or Toyota, can't remember. The spring shot out of the compressor downward and sideways (away from the tech, fortunately), bounced off the concrete and took a good chip out, missed me by a couple feet and shot across to the other side of the shop. Scary moment. SVX springs don't have anything like that amount of energy stored in them.
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92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold
2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl

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