Checking main drive tensioning roller: VW Golf IV / Bora (AHW, AKQ, APE, ATN, …)
Step-by-step checking main drive tensioning roller for the VW Golf IV / Bora: 22 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
Fits: VW Golf IV / Bora (1J)
- Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
- Renewed: tensioning roller
Don't miss
- Mark direction of rotation of poly V-belt.
- Now turn crankshaft two turns in engine direction of rotation until it is again at top dead centre No. 1 cylinder.
- Note position of tensioning roller indicator (arrow). Press toothed belt forcefully with thumb. The indicator must move.
- Turn crankshaft two turns in engine direction of rotation.
- Then check position of indicator. It must have returned to its original position.
📋 Procedure
- Remove cover above camshaft housing (arrows).
- Remove air filter .
- Remove upper toothed belt guard.
- Fit support bracket10 - 222 A with frame10 - 222 A /1 as shown.
- Remove power-assisted steering reservoir and lay to side.
- Remove upper securing bolt from lower toothed belt guard beneath engine bracket.
- Take up weight of engine and remove right engine bracket as shown.
- Unscrew securing bolts (B) and completely remove assembly mounting.
- Remove engine bracket on cylinder head.
- Remove right noise insulation.
- Lower engine until the pulley securing bolt is accessible.
- Mark direction of rotation of poly V-belt.
- Pivot tensioning roller in direction of arrow by turning securing bolt with straight ring spanner.
- Remove poly V-belt.
- Remove pulley securing bolt and toothed belt pulley. Fix belt pulley with counterhold3415 and pin3415/1 (on ATN, AUS, AZD, BCB with counterhold T10028).
- Remove pulley. Refit securing bolt with two washers and tighten to secure toothed belt pulley.
- Now turn crankshaft two turns in engine direction of rotation until it is again at top dead centre No. 1 cylinder.
- Note position of tensioning roller indicator (arrow). Press toothed belt forcefully with thumb. The indicator must move.
- Release tension on toothed belt.
- Turn crankshaft two turns in engine direction of rotation.
- Then check position of indicator. It must have returned to its original position.
- Replace tensioning roller.
Other VW procedures
- Checking coupling drive tensioning roller – VW Golf IV / Bora · 1 torque figures
- Checking oil pressure and oil pressure switch
- Checking non-return valve for fuel pump
- Removing and installing parts of the injection system
- Repairing valve gear
- Removing engine · 41 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
- Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
- Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.