Does anyone have a picture of the belt tensioner tool with dimensions? I want to make one.

 

Here ya go!

http://new.minimania.com/part/NME599...52-Mini-Cooper

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I think theres a page in the bently manual on a homemade belt tensioner tool. I got mine off ebay new for cheap money, I was originally going to make mine as well but decided against it =D

 

I never thought of ebay, but I am not going to pay over $100 on something I could make if I had the dimensions.

 

The ebay one is $35 + shipping. Search "r53 mini serpentine tool."

I can sell you a spare of mine for $40 shipped to the lower 48, hmu

 

As has been stated, the tool can be had for short money if you peruse the 'net, however, if you still want to make one, it's important that you make the correct version of the tool that works with your car.

The tool that Mini Mania linked to is for a R50/R52 Cooper, while the tool for the R53 Cooper S (below) is a different tool entirely.

 

lmao...yeah it would be important to have the right tool, wouldn't it?

 

 

I just made one myself without a welder. Used a 1 1/4" ID muffler extension, cut it, folded back the cuts to make tabs. Drilled the tabs and used a short piece of flat stock. Used a wood clamp for the long portion that I then drilled and taped for 1/4:20 screws. If you try to go with 2 screws to put into the pulley holes, you need to have an older tensioner to use as a template. I will take a picture and repost and try to get some dimensions. Total cost, $6.00.

And the R53 tool will work on the R52S, same tensioner.

 

I use my pry bar, it's free and works great.

 

I used a bar several times but some type of purpose built tool makes inserting the pin into the spring ribbon so much easier.

 

This is awesome. I wish I had the skills/drive to make my own. Well done!!!

 

Not the prettiest, but gets the job done. Good work.