[SOLVED!!!!]

Just did my lim over the past 2 days and for the most part it was a breeze.

I went to put my belt on today an heard squeeling when I started up for the first time. I later realized i had not properly lined up the notch on the tensioner with the hole it goes in.

So I little investigating and mangling and when I went to line up the notch it snapped in half (the tensioner).

Got a new one and the guys at the parts store swear its identical. After trying to put it on I dont have enough force to line up the little notch.


SO my question is.... WHY so tight? I cant get the dang belt on and I took my time making sure the alternator went on straight. Should I take off the alt again and mess around or am I missing something?

I started up the car and its running lovely after getting new parts and gaskets. Just cant get this dang thing on !

I don't really understand why you were trying to line up the notch. If your belt was squealing, either there was oil on it or maybe it wasn't the right belt (although I'd assume it worked fine before disassembly). You just turn the tensioner counter-clockwise (I think) to relieve tension so you can get the belt on, then release the tensioner. there's no need to line up any marks on it.

I don't really understand why you were trying to line up the notch. If your belt was squealing, either there was oil on it or maybe it wasn't the right belt (although I'd assume it worked fine before disassembly). You just turn the tensioner counter-clockwise (I think) to relieve tension so you can get the belt on, then release the tensioner. there's no need to line up any marks on it.
I had to remove the tensioner because it did not have the little peg to rotate it. I tried using several ways to rotate it vs removal and I just decided to remove it.

For reinstallation the tensioner has a little notch that has to line up and go into where it mounts. The belt is too tight to do so. Il see if I can install the tensioner and rotate the new one!

I had to remove the tensioner because it did not have the little peg to rotate it. I tried using several ways to rotate it vs removal and I just decided to remove it.

For reinstallation the tensioner has a little notch that has to line up and go into where it mounts. The belt is too tight to do so. Il see if I can install the tensioner and rotate the new one!


You rotate the tensioner to relieve belt tension by sticking a rachet drive into the square on the the tensioner arm usually. As far as reinstalling the tensioner, you would do that without the belt installed on the pulleys. So install the tensioner without the belt, The begin routing the belt over the pulleys, then relieve the tensioner as I explained and slip the belt over the final pulley, usually the alternator pulley.

Thanks mech! I was an idiot! I decided id manhandle the tensioner when trying to rotate it with a 3/8 wrench. I had no problem getting the belt on!

My car is now running smoother than it ever has. I just need to figure out why the Anti-Lock light is on! Ran a code scanner and I dont get anything.

then relieve the tensioner as I explained and slip the belt over the final pulley, usually the alternator pulley.

It helps if the last pulley you push the belt on is a backsider like the water pump, the rounded edge with no lip or grooves is easier to push it onto, and doesn't require quite as much pulling against the tensioner...