2005 Toyota Corolla tensioner bolt

2005 TOYOTA COROLLA
55,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MATTMECH1220
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Hi,
I'm a mechanic at pepboys and I recently replaced an alternator on a 2005 corolla(never touched the actual tensioner bolt). About a week later the customer returned for a squeeky belt. When I popped the hood I could see that the tensioner was not attached to the motor by the large central bolt that holds it all together. We informed the customer that they should take it to the dealer or a machine shop to get the bolt(which had broken off about 3/4 in. into the engine)out. About a week after that the car came back. The dealer had told the customer that since there were markings on the bolt head that someone had put a wrench on the bolt. My theory is that the bolt was defective and snapped causing it to come loose and wiggle around which could definetly cause some marks on the bolt head. Does this sound like a likely situation to you? Please help.
Aug 12, 2008 at 10:17 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

I would be more inclined to think that someone has over tensioned this bolt, the chances of a defective bolt just snapping is rare, the evidence will be the end of the broken bolt, you will see if it have been affected by over torquing by the way it has fractured, i would be checking tis out first.

mark (mhpautos)
Aug 12, 2008 at 10:40 PM