And it is interesting/confusing in that the repair instructions from ista indicate bolts being placed from the front of the bracket and then screwed into the belt tensioner, whereas the realoem diagram (and the parts you have) will require the bolts coming in from the rear of the engine and threading to the front. Are those ista instructions from using your vin? Not sure if parts changed at some point in time?


The instructions say they are for e53, but it also says "Illustrations show E38" Clear as mud, right?

Don't worry sgrice, I appreciate you trying to help!



I did consider removing those 2 bolts to move the compressor aside. That would probably give me more room to get the top bolt in. However, I believe there are 3 more bolts holding that bracket onto the engine which are underneath the compressor itself, which is a further 3 bolts to remove that. All in a tight space.


Getting the tensioner shaft in won't be a problem with the fan shroud moved up.


https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.co...816fe25d0.jpeg