I have a question on your repair. Are you saying your the 17MM socket removed the entire tension assembly? Isn't that assembly under pressure? I figured you have to loosen that tamper proof center bolt in the tentioner to release the tention? If so, where does one get a 6 point torx/star tamper proof bit?

I ask because all we want to do is loosen the tension of the belt to check (by hand) if my alternator has a bad bearing (very noisey) In order to do that, don't I have to just loosen the tension on the belt tensioner?

Also, wasn't it difficult to put the alternator and tension back into place w/o releasing the tension first? Gee, I hope my question isn't too convoluted