2.4 Serpentine belt tensioner replacement

[markb5446]

I think my GM factory shop manual is wrong in describing the serpentine belt tensioner for the 97 quad 4 Grand Am. The book says to remove alternator, move the AC unit down and out of the way, then remove two bolts to remove the tensioner from the block. The drawing shows a tensioner assembly with a casting and two bolt holes for mounting to block. The replacement part looks completely different. It has a central stud and the complete unit threads into the block by rotating the complete unit. This means the drawings and the entire process is wrong in the GM manual. It looks like the harmonic balancer may have to be removed to spin this thing into the block. Am I correct. Also, I think the tensioner assembly must have a reverse threaded central stud, and I guess it is removed by first removing the belt and then turning the tensioner pully bolt clockwise (in the direction that would tighten the belt). Am I correct about this? I looked into it about 9 months ago and a note at Advance Autop parts said that it spins on, contradicting the GM manual. But I don't remember what all has to be removed to do this. Anyone done this before? thanks, I am confused.