AC belt issues

[87Shark]

I'm havin a devil of a time tryin to get my new ac belt on! The old belt snapped, but I could still see the part number. The replacement belt has the same number. There doesn't seem to be enough play to slip the belt over the compressor. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

[bpoliakoff]

Seriously I had the same problem. Close but not enough. I used a metal shoe horn

[hornhospital]

Same here. Went to the next longer belt, and it worked for a very short time, then stretched/wore beyond the ability of the adjuster to tension it sufficiently. Went back to the original length belt, had an awful time getting it on, but it's still working and in the middle of the adjustment range.

[nick88highline]

I used to get the belt on as much as I could and then crank the engine over and the belt would jump on.
I then decided to sort it permanently by fitting the a/c bracket from an E34 M30 535 (which is slightly longer) and using a very slighly longer belt (13 x 813).

[87Shark]

What years E34 M30 535 can that bracket be found on? May be headed to the salvage yard and want to make sure I pull the right part. Thanks in advance!

[nick88highline]

What years E34 M30 535 can that bracket be found on? May be headed to the salvage yard and want to make sure I pull the right part. Thanks in advance!

I believe the M30 engine was discontinued in the E34 around 1993, so anything between 1988 and 1993 would work. I actually bought mine new from BMW.

[Da_Hose]

I used an E30 ACtensioner bracket. Works awesome with our stock components.

Jose