Help I think I stripped the 16mm tensioner nut

[northern diesel]

I got a brand new tensioner to go with the alternator for my kids alh.
I am trying to get the pin out and thought it was hella tensioned - but I’m hella stupid and thought left loosey.
so I got a stripped 16mm now.
any sage advice ?

 

[CanadianALH]

Do you have some pliers wrenches? Just something that is close to the right size but has the ability to have some grab? Maybe also an adjustable wrench or even vice grips or slip jaws so you can get some bite. Praying you are able to get it sorted!

 

[P2B]

I got a brand new tensioner to go with the alternator for my kids alh.
I am trying to get the pin out and thought it was hella tensioned - but I’m hella stupid and thought left loosey.
so I got a stripped 16mm now.
any sage advice ?

You've lost me.

Which pin were you trying to remove?

Which tensioner are you replacing? The serpentine tensioner is bolted on, only the TB tensioner has a nut.

Have you rounded off a nut or bolt head, or stripped a thread?

 

[CanadianALH]

You've lost me.

Which pin were you trying to remove?

Which tensioner are you replacing? The serpentine tensioner is bolted on, only the TB tensioner has a nut.

Have you rounded off a nut or bolt head, or stripped a thread?

If I understand correctly when the new tensioner for the accessory drive belt comes it has a holding pin. You can install it and then route the belt then you used a wrench to move the tensioner so you can remove the pin thus tensioning the system ( at least this is how mine worked) he has rounded off this nut so he can’t remove the pin so he’s not able to get the system tensioned.

 

[P2B]

Gotcha. I suppose I would take it off, remove the piston and keep it as a spare, and toss the rest. I would not want a mangled tensioner on there, it will just be a PITA in the future.

 

[northern diesel]

Yeah - I will either shape it down to 15mm - or just swap the old spring load (and aluminum 16mm nub) onto the new pulley and shock absorber

 

[northern diesel]

Lesson learned though.
Also another reminder to take breaks and quit before you break ****.

 

[Zak99b5]

Maybe grind the stripped old boss off and weld a nut on it its place? Edit it’s right on the bearing so nope

I really dont like dealing with the ALH tensioner and where that “nut” is. On the 1.8T (and 2.0 iirc) there’s a tab on the top you can easily put a wrench on. I wonder why they didn’t use that tensioner on the diesel as well.

 

[jimbote]

Put a decent size pry bar under the shock tab. Use the engine mount as a fulcrum, push toward the firewall. Use slow, steady pressure, don't bounce. Been doing it this way for years. I almost never use the hex.

 

[wonneber]

I got a brand new tensioner to go with the alternator for my kids alh.
I am trying to get the pin out and thought it was hella tensioned - but I’m hella stupid and thought left loosey.
so I got a stripped 16mm now.
any sage advice ?

Just to add to the others, I've used pipe wrenches (small may be needed) to remove studs or such.
Not sure if this will help.

 

[northern diesel]

These are some awesome suggestions !
I noticed the welding option got edited - I had thought about that- but seeing how soft the “nut” was I’m afraid my newbie welding skills would blow right through the aluminum , and as you pointed out @Zak99b5, it’s also right over the bearing.
I might just start using @jimbote ‘s prybar technique.
Or I’ll Frankenstein it with the removed one - and transfer over the shock and pulley

 

[northern diesel]

Put a decent size pry bar under the shock tab. Use the engine mount as a fulcrum, push toward the firewall. Use slow, steady pressure, don't bounce. Been doing it this way for years. I almost never use the hex.View attachment 144012

Quick update -
Thanks for this - worked like a charm!