Alternator pulley tool?

[ELaw]

Hello!

I've got a '12 A4q (CAEB engine) and want to replace the pulley on the alternator. I know you need two tools: one is a 33-spline thing that is hollow. But some things I read on the web say the other tool is a torx T50, while others say it's a triple-square.

Does anyone know what the right tool is for this engine?

Thanks!

[Theiceman]

Cant you snap a pic with your phone and look ?.

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[ELaw]

No, because the cover is still on the front of the pulley. I've seen covers on those pulleys that look like they could be replaced after removal, but this one's different and I'm afraid I may ruin it in the process of removing it.

That won't be a problem once I have the new pulley in hand but I don't have it yet, and I want to get the tool ordered ASAP.

[Theiceman]

I have never relaced the pully sorry, but a pic still might help if you say its different

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[Smac770]

The cover is definitely a rip it off once thing. It ain't going back on. That said, it doesn't matter to have the cover off for short term operation. My '09 had the triple square counter hold.


Front side, cover ripped off:

IMG_0706bs.jpg


Back aide of the shot pulley, with the tool assembled as I used it:

IMG_0145bs.jpg


The tool kit I bought when I had to replace it. Includes the 33 spline to thread to the pulley and both triple square and Torx for the counter hold. You use normal hex wrenches/sockets to turn them. You'll need a pass-through or crow foot solution to torque it correctly, same as nut on the top of the shocks, etc.

IMG_0709bs.jpg

[ELaw]

Thanks! I looked up that set and it deals with the issue nicely because it has both bits! And isn't stupidly long like some others I've seen. So I just ordered one.

[Theiceman]

so what is the reason for replacing the pulley ??? how does it fail ???

local wrecker wants 75 bucks for a whole alternator so i think if it failed i would go that route and save the buggering around ....

unless of course like most things Audi you have to take half the car apart to get the alternator out i guess.

[ELaw]

Well, they do fail but in this case it's preventive. The serpentine belt and tensioner pulley are both pretty tired, and I found a kit with the belt, tensioner, idler, and alternator pulley all together for a good price so I figure I might as well replace everything while I'm in there.

[Smac770]

Alternator is really easy to remove.

The pulley is a one way clutch or overrun pulley. If you insert a wooden stick (not metal!) into the alternator to block the rotation of the rotor, you should not be able to rotate the pulley clockwise, but the pulley should freely rotate counter clockwise. The idea being the belt pushes the pulley clockwise to spin the alternator rotor. But when the engine has a sudden rpm drop, and thus now spins the belt more slowly than the rotor spin rate (ie, the pulley appears to be moving counter clockwise relative to the alternator rotor orientation), the alternator can wind down on its own and is not a dragging force on the belt.

In my case, the pulley was free spinning in both directions, thus the dash message about charging system failure.

If the reman alternator includes the pulley for under a C note, that's fine. Wow, alternator pulleys are up a lot from when I replaced mine. But yeah, you have to make sure the used alternator actually includes the pulley, is what I remember when I was having to look into the subject. The pulley was around half the price of the the whole alternator (with pulley). CarID shows this third-party option: https://www.carid.com/gates/alternat...519&url=408154

06H903119B is for the Bosch alternator (B8.0) vs. 06H903119C for the Valeo alternator (B8.5). The ...119 is another composite part number. Appears the actual part number on the pulley itself is ...201.

[Theiceman]

Alternator is really easy to remove.

The pulley is a one way clutch or overrun pulley. If you insert a wooden stick (not metal!) into the alternator to block the rotation of the rotor, you should not be able to rotate the pulley clockwise, but the pulley should freely rotate counter clockwise. The idea being the belt pushes the pulley clockwise to spin the alternator rotor. But when the engine has a sudden rpm drop, and thus now spins the belt more slowly than the rotor spin rate (ie, the pulley appears to be moving counter clockwise relative to the alternator rotor orientation), the alternator can wind down on its own and is not a dragging force on the belt.

In my case, the pulley was free spinning in both directions, thus the dash message about charging system failure.

If the reman alternator includes the pulley for under a C note, that's fine. Wow, alternator pulleys are up a lot from when I replaced mine. But yeah, you have to make sure the used alternator actually includes the pulley, is what I remember when I was having to look into the subject. The pulley was around half the price of the the whole alternator (with pulley). CarID shows this third-party option: https://www.carid.com/gates/alternat...519&url=408154

06H903119B is for the Bosch alternator (B8.0) vs. 06H903119C for the Valeo alternator (B8.5). The ...119 is another composite part number. Appears the actual part number on the pulley itself is ...201.

well in my case some grease monkey pulls it out of a wrecked car for 75 bucks ... good enough .. sold..

[Smac770]

The part number on my pulley (pita to clean all that gunk off) is 06H 903 201 C (for the Bosch 140A alternator).
Made in Canada, no wonder they are so expensive.
Only other marking on it is 258A1. No OEM name, not even Audi rings.

https://youtu.be/Lz7_1Qsg2Tw
If for nothing more than that catchy intro jingle.

[Theiceman]

The part number on my pulley (pita to clean all that gunk off) is 06H 903 201 C (for the Bosch 140A alternator).
Made in Canada, no wonder they are so expensive.
Only other marking on it is 258A1. No OEM name, not even Audi rings.

https://youtu.be/Lz7_1Qsg2Tw
If for nothing more than that catchy intro jingle.

holy crap we still make stuff ?? are sure it isnt a scuffed up china !!! :)

love the miami vice intro

[ELaw]

Well this just seems to be one challenge after another!

I ordered this nice kit from Ina that includes all the serpentine-related stuff including the alternator pulley. And the little cover that goes on the front of said pulley. But I can't figure out how it attaches! It doesn't appear to be a press fit, it doesn't seem to snap on, nor is there any adhesive or anything indicating it sticks on.

Has anyone ever installed one of these pulleys and dealt with this?

[Smac770]

If it's like the one I got, it presses in. If there's not a lip on the cover that presses into the groove (appears to be a groove) on the black outer ring, then it likely needs to get fed under the black outer ring, into the gap between the black ring and the silver face. I can't remember specifically how mine attached, but it was something like that which took a bit more determination of will than I prefer to apply to car parts.

[ELaw]

Yeah I'm wondering if I got the wrong cover. It looks like it could be a press fit if it were 4 or 5 mm larger.

I've also contacted Ina (well, "Schaeffler North America") to see if they can offer any insight... I'll post back when I get a response from them.