02 Explorer Serpentine Belt Tensioner Problems

After noticing that the belt tensioner was rocking back and forth, indicating a bad damping mechanism on the tensioner, I replaced both the tensioner and serpentine belt. Both were replaced with Goodyear. Everything looked good and running smooth, and the tensioner was steady. Today, I happened to check on it and the tensioner is rocking again. Has anyone experienced this?

Did I get a bad tensioner? Or are the Goodyear belt just big enough that the tensioner is hitting it's stop??

Its an automatic tensioner compared to the old style alternator belts that are on a bolt and bracket system. The tensioner bouncing up and down is normall, just not excessivley.

i have the same problem. how much should it bounce. i haven't changed mine yet, was just about to it also?

The tensioner might flex up to 3/4 inch depending on the load on the engine. If a/c or defroster is on, it will deflect more because of the extra load on tensioner. Usual movement is 1/4 to 1/2 inch deflection.

yep its was a bad tensioner. when i removed it, the spring had barely any tension to it and was making alot of noise. the new one had twice the tension and is silent now.