Author Topic: A/C Compressor adjustment and belt tension  (Read 2913 times)

ncsurfer

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A/C Compressor adjustment and belt tension
« on: June 22, 2012, 22:06:50 »
I am learning my way around this 280 and appreciate the help I am getting from you guys. This car has not been run for 10 years. I am going through the fuel system and while I have it up on blocks, I am replacing all the belts and hoses, check and repair the radiator, etc.
OK, I took the pulley and fan blade off to get at all of the belts. The two belts that run the A/C are stuck between the A/C pulley and the sway bar. I know I can adjust the belt with the tensioning bracket, but does the compressor move at all? If not, I guess I will need to drop the sway bay enough to take the two belts off, but it just doesn't make any sense to me to have to do this. Any suggestions?
After I have everything off of the front of the engine, I will roll it out and degrease the front of the engine and start putting on the new belts, hoses, and painted pulleys and fan blade.
Thanks for your help.
1970 280sl Horizon blue/navy, automatic
1973 450sl Silver/red, automatic
1985 280sl red/beige, 5 speed
1995 E320 Cab. Black/Cream, Auto
2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder
2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder
1964 MB L1113 Firetruck

Raymond

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Re: A/C Compressor adjustment and belt tension
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2012, 01:43:49 »
It's been a while since I've done this but I do recall a fair amount of colorful language in the removal.  You should only need a tiny bit more space.  You might try jacking up on the engine a bit and rotating the pully while you squeeze the belts past.  Otherwise, losening the right side sway bar bracket is pretty easy.  If the car was sitting for ten years, you may want to replace the swaybar bushings anyway.   

For my reinstall, I had the engine out which makes it much easier.  ::) 
Ray
'68 280SL 5-spd "California" Coupe

ncsurfer

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Re: A/C Compressor adjustment and belt tension
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2012, 03:35:53 »
Thanks, that makes sense. I will drop the sway bar and replace the bushings. When I bought this 280 in February, I thought I would have it running by June. I am just glad I didn't tell my wife what year! ! ! !
1970 280sl Horizon blue/navy, automatic
1973 450sl Silver/red, automatic
1985 280sl red/beige, 5 speed
1995 E320 Cab. Black/Cream, Auto
2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder
2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder
1964 MB L1113 Firetruck