Table of Contents
What can I use in place of a belt tensioner tool?
It turns out that a 1/4″ 3/8 drive socket fits nicely into the aforementioned 3/8″ square hole, while clearing the frame: One then simply needs a long enough open end wrench (or spanner, if you prefer) and a jack. Simply jack the tensioner up until you can remove the belt.
How much tension should a belt tensioner have?
A general rule of thumb for the correct tightness is being able to twist a belt with a thumb and finger a 1/2 turn and feel resistance. If you can turn it more than a 1/2 turn, you do not have enough tension on the belt. If you cannot turn it a 1/2 turn, you have too much tension on the belt.
What tool removes tensioner pulley?
Most vehicles utilize a serpentine accessory belt, which powers items such as your power steering pump and alternator. The CRAFTSMAN® Serpentine Belt Tool provides the leverage and clearance needed to remove the tensioner pulley that holds the belt in place.
Should you replace tensioner with serpentine belt?
There is no recommended timeframe in which to replace your tensioner, especially as the belt itself usually needs replacing before the tensioner does. However, you should inspect your tensioner each time you service your car to monitor its condition and replace it if necessary.
What keeps the belt in proper tension?
The belt should have no more than a 1/2 inch of slack. Adjust the belt tension as needed with the pry bar until there is no more than a 1/2 inch of slack in the belt. Tighten the remaining accessory bolts with the ratchet and socket. Crank the engine and let it run for about one minute.
How do you tension a belt pulley?
Turn the adjustment bolt on the side, top or bottom of the pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the accessory belt is loose enough to remove. Tighten the tensioner pulley by turning the adjustment bolt clockwise with the ratchet and socket until the belt is tight.
Can you adjust an automatic belt tensioner?
Not all types of drive belt systems can be adjusted. Cars equipped with an automatic belt tensioner adjust themselves over time and do not require adjustment.
Can you adjust serpentine belt tensioner?
Locate the adjuster bolt on the belt tensioner used to secure the serpentine belt, and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening the adjuster bolt with a racthet and socket while you simultaneously move the belt back and forth gently to find the proper tension.
How do you relieve tensioner pulleys?
If equipped with a tensioner screw, back off the tensioner screw. Then, push the alternator toward the other pulleys, loosening the belt. To loosen an NAI tensioner, loosen the locking nut or bolt, then back off the tensioner screw. Push the pulley toward the other pulleys or accessories, loosening the belt.
What size socket do you need for a tensioner pulley?
Inspect the belt tensioner pulley to see what size gap it has for a tool to fit in. If the gap is 1/2 wide and square, as is the case in many vehicles, a standard 1/2 inch ratchet will be sufficient.
Can a belt tensioner making noise?
1. Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner. The most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner. If the tensioner is loose the belts may squeak or squeal, especially when the engine is first started.
Should I replace tensioner or just pulley?
If the pulley is damaged, replace the tensioner assembly not just the pulley.
Why is my belt tensioner shaking?
Causes of Belt Tensioner Wobbling In general, belt tensioners tend to get noisy when they fail. If your belt tensioner is chirping or makes other noises, it is often an indication that the part is old and needs to be replaced. You can even remove the belt, spin each pulley, and listen for rumbling or other noises.
Does a tensioner pulley spin?
Checking the Tensioner Spin the pulley to see if it spins freely. If you hear grinding or the pulley doesn’t spin freely, replace the tensioner. When you replace the belt, it should take a lot of muscle power to move the tensioner. You can also check the tensioner by checking belt tension.
How do I keep my belt from slipping?
You should apply belt dressing to your serpentine belt every month or every 3,000 miles to prolong its life and to prevent it from slipping. Sometimes, depending on the cause of the squeak. Belt dressing is intended as a tool to help you maintain your belts. It’s not an easy fix for all squeaks.
What happens if serpentine belt is too loose?
If the belt is too loose, it will cause the alternator to slip. This slipping can cause the alternator and the battery to work harder.
How deep should Av belt sit in a pulley?
Figure 58.4 is an illustration of how a V-belt should sit in the pulley groove. The top of the belt should be within -inch of the outer surface of the pulley. If the belt top is deeper in the groove, the groove or belt is worn, which can shorten the remaining belt life by as much as 50 per cent.
What tool do you use to check belt tension?
A tensiometer is a tool that measures the force required to move the tensiometer plunger a given distance. This force can be compared to a table of recommended tension forces to determine the status of the belt. Required equipment: tensiometer, tape measure, straight edge (for single belt drives).
How do you check belt tension by hand?
Hold the belt between finger and thumb at this point and move it from side to side. See how much it deflects at the centre of the run. If it moves more than 1/2 in. (13 mm) it is too slack – any less movement and it is too tight.
Which way do you turn a serpentine belt tensioner?
Rotate the pulley on the belt tensioner counterclockwise to relieve the tension of the belt with the proper sized socket and ratchet. Slide the belt off of the belt tensioner pulley. Let the belt hang down.
Can you adjust the tensioner pulley?
The accessory belt needs to be loosened before the adjustment bolt can be turned on the side, top or bottom of the pulley. Turn the adjustment bolt clockwise to tighten the pulley.
Is idler pulley same as tensioner?
The primary distinction between tensioners and idler pulleys is the presence of an adjustable bolt. Tensioners are positioned on the bolt through mounting. Idler pulleys are not mounted to an adjustable bolt. However, if bearings fail, tensioner and idler pulleys both require replacement.
What sound does a bad tensioner pulley make?
When the tensioner or tensioner pulley fails, the loss of tension can cause the belt and pulleys to make high-pitched rattling or chirping noises. If the pulley bearing completely fails, it can also cause a squealing or even a grinding noise.
