Went today to have a my SC belt replaced. After stopping at two places and having price quotes between $85-200, I decided I would be better served to just buy the tensioner tool and try it myself. (at least i know how to pop my hood unlike the places I visited) I figure the tool will pay for itself after the first use.

Now where is the best place to buy one? I've read old posts that listed outmotoring because its cheaper than the dealers. However they all seem to be right around 95-100 dollars. Am I missing something or did they jack the price up? Are there any other vendors that have made their own design for sale?

 

Many of the vendors have a tensioner tool they will sell you. Otherwise, if you check with mini owners in your local area, you are pretty likely to find one. Also, if you are a fair welder, you can make your own. There is a post somewhere with a basic template.

 

MINIs in my area are few and far between.... I dont even know how to turn a welder on, but thanks for the info!

 

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...oner_tool.html

i am sure i have seen more vendors carrying them. but just too lazy..
if you search, you will find a few more

 

Every now and then they pop up in the marketplace, that is where I found mine. The aftermarket ones are generally a little lighter and weaker and cheaper than the BMW tool. Outmotoring has their's for $100, and the official tool from BMW is around $150 I think.

Outmotoring used to sell a cheaper aftermarket version for $80, but it had strength problems and some failed, now it seems they have moved to a more expensive and beefed up version.

I was fortunate enough to find a slightly pre-owned BMW model for $60. I can't see you finding a used one for less than that.

Good Luck, and to be honest you don't really need the tool, it just makes it easier. I changed my belt twice without having the tool, search the forums and you can find what others have done to get around needing the tool. My shop-made workaround consisted of a $7 Harbor Freight pry bar, a small piece of 3/4" plywood, and a socket. It can be done without the tool.

 

I got mine from turner motorsports, i think it was $95. I would check for vendors that are close to you to save on shipping. Turner is in MA.

 

MUShadd all you need is a pry bar, 5/8" socket, chunk of plywood, 1/4" by 1" bolt, a pin/or similar to lock tensioner in compressed state and some leverage!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...belt-swap.html

Good luck with the dyno pull re-do!

Jeremy

 

thanks for all the info guys... For future info, I found out today that Classic MINI can order the tool for $101.80, so that makes it comparable to the others.

 

Seriously man, use a pry bar I have done this a few times now and its so easy, no need to waste money on that.

 

I rent them for FREE, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...53-owners.html

 

I actually made one from a long (48") gate hinge. Though figuring out the bolt pattern and alignment wasn't real easy, at $13 definitely worth the cost!! Once the first one was made, the rest are easy!

Cheers!!

 

I envy you guys and your crafty abilities. However without ever doing a belt install, or even knowing what everything looks like under there, its a little hard for me to picture fabbing something up. I think I will buy one, and after seeing how its made, try to fab one up and sell the original.

the free rental is an amazing idea too!

 

FWIW, all I used to make mine was a DeWalt hand drill with metal bits. Again, the hard part was the alignment of the holes. The second one's easy! I'll post snaps and measurements if you're interested.

Cheers!!

 

Every Mini owner should have a service manual of some type. The Haynes Manual is excellent (if you can get through the British jargon). They show you how to make a very simple tensioner tool that cost me just a few dollars. It uses flat metal stock (can find at any hardware store) and is bolted together (no welding needed). It works like a charm. The manual shows you the steps needed to change belt. The manual sells for $20-30 but is priceless if you decide to do your own work.

 

thanks for the advice. I have Bentley, but sounds like I can benefit from having haynes as well.

 

Did you ever get a tool? I am about to list mine for sale as I have returned my wife's car to stock and am selling ALL MINI parts and accessories I have. I'm asking $75 for the tool.

 

PM me a fax number and I will fax you the specs & instructions out of the Haynes Manual. I made mine and paid maybe $8 for the parts. If you do not have a good drill and grinder, you can take the pieces to a local machine shop and have them fabricate it for their minimum shop charge (which varies from place to place)
It's hard to justify that much expense for a tool you will use so rarely.

 

The manufacturer is Assenmacher and the model # is MC100

 

thanks everyone, but i just bit the bullet and bought a new one from outmotoring, and already did the belt install. Im sure i'll future use out of it, and the way i see it...its already paid for itself by not paying a mechanic to do it.