Logan Reuter

Hello everyone!

I’m sure this topic has been answered before but i’m just going to give it another go. I have recently purchased a 1987 924s and I am getting close to doing a timing and balance shaft belt replacement. I’ve been able to find adequate information on the belt replacement itself, but the only thing I’m hung up on is setting the tension for the belts correctly. From what I have gathered, belt tension on these cars is critical, and considering this is an interference engine and also will be my first timing belt replacement I want to get this right. I’ve seen many people mention the Arnnworx tool as a good option, but it looks like their website is down and the expected reopening date had been passed. Any other good alternatives. I’m not really willing to drop the $1200 on the Porsche tool (might as well take it to a reputable shop at that point). Any help will be appreciated!

mj951

There's a few versions of a less expensive belt tensioning tool available called the Krickit.
Some like it, others don't. Few links.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...t-cricket.html

https://www.optibelt.com/us/products...tension-gauge/

http://www.autoatlanta.com/Porsche-9...Tool-srch.html

four0four

There's a decent that just requires a torque wrench (well, and a printer you can use!).

Logan Reuter

Hey I have both of those! I’ll go ahead and take a look at this. Thanks you!

BeerBurner

I have an Arnworx tool and am also in Northern VA. We can set up a time and I can help you do the job if you want.

BB.

Sam_83_944

Do you know anywhere to find these tools? It looks like the site shut down. I’d honestly rent someone’s tool for like $100 and I’d pay for shipping at this point just to do my belts. I’m really scared as a first timer to do the twist method.

fejjj

I can rent you the whole kit for $50 plus shipping both ways.

dlearl476

Does anyone have any info on Arnnwerx. A fellow 968 owner was asking about belly pan hardware the other day and his site had a place holder up saying someone was in the process of getting it up and running again, but now it’s nothing but 404 errors, although some of the webpage files were apparently modified last month. (June 2023)

Chalt

Does anyone know what happened to the Arnnworx site and or seller?

mazdaverx7

The Arrnworx tools are great and they have been around for some time. I have their tension tools and I highly recommend them! I recently visited their site and I can also confirm that it's no longer up and running. The owners name was Bruce Arnn I believe.

mazdaverx7

After a quick search, I was able to locate this picture from 2022 in a post in a 944 group:

ALEXTHEGREAT

I'm pretty sure Bruce Arnn retired and stopped making all of the special tools. I think he had a post about on his website shortly before the website got taken down.

Chalt

I bought the toolset from Arnnworx... But what will future budding 944 owners do without Bruce's great tools?

Chorus:
So who's gonna fill their (Bruce's) shoes?
Who's gonna stand that tall?
Who's gonna play the (944) Opry
And the Wabash (timing belt) Cannonball?
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get (the tool) to me and you?
Lord, I wonder who's gonna fill their (Bruce's) shoes?

("Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?" The song was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes, and it was recorded by country music legend George Jones. It was released in 1985 as the title track of Jones' album "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes.")

931guru

They are going to do what they have always done, roll the dice and use the half twist method, or the push with the thumb method, or the "I don't know why these engines need a belt every 30 thousand miles." gamble. If they win, they win; if they lose, they complain about Porsche, not about their taking a chance on losing a belt on an interference engine.

Chalt

Here's a question... Stepping outside of the Porsche world, with other car-makers interference engines... are any like the 944 and require a very expensive factory tool to set or adjust belt tension?