Put a 17mm socket on a breaker bar, then you reach down and put that on the tensioner. I don't remember which way you turn it, but you have to turn it the direction that puts more tension on the tensioner, then you can pull that pin. When you let go of the tensioner after pulling the pin, the spring puts the proper tension on the serp belt. When you have the pin in there, you really don't have tension on it yet.

 

DONE! In all it took a few hours. It definitely could have gone by alot faster if I had tools. The car was parked out side of home depot so I did have to make one run inside for a 10mm. The only issue was that redic rod that no one knows about or talks about. I just figured it was a part of the tensioner that would release itself or something... Regardless, when I finally pulled that rod out of the tensioner all was running smooth and quiet. I did have to jump the car to get it to start which was expected. Power steering came back miraculously and the whining stopped.
I will say though that car is SLOW! I dont know if Im just used to the pickup in my SAAB, but is there anything that is a known fail on the 1996 audi a4 (v6 2.8l) that I can adjust to give me a little more pick up?
Thanks everyone for your inputs on the belt..... I appreciate it!

 

not a chance in hell of making the 12v anything other than slow. Dont even consider it.

 

I had one....for 270,000 s l o w miles.

 

HAHAHAHA really? Thats sucks!

 

270,000 miles?!??!?! Thats amazing! Any major repairs along the way to keep it running that long?

 

Oh yea. I did a rebuilt auto trans, heater core, countless control arms. It was breaking every two weeks when I gave up on it. But those damn galvanized bodies never rust so you can just keep throwing parts at it.

 

GREAAATTTT..... I literally just finished basically rebuilding my Saab, so my next new adventure is obviously going to be the Audi. I will say though getting my hands in the Audi is cake in comparison to the Saab. I hate to jinx myself but Im pretty sure Im going to be pulling the alternator soon. At least its great bonding time with my sister!