bad tensioner??

[cgjawz]

OK guys, oh what fun it is....so I just replaced the alternator on my 97 SE. Had a hell of a time gettin the belt back on. So, get er on, start it up and the belt is squeaking like a bat out of hell. So, do you guys think the tensioner is shot?? If so, is changing the tensioner worth the trouble or do you suggest just taking it to the shop?...i am by no means a "mechanic" either, just know the basics...thanks in advance

[Hoags]

Are you sure it is the tensioner? If so, it is some thing you can do your self it's not that hard. there should be a bolt through the pivot end, remove the belt, then remove the bolt, line up the new tensioner install bolt, install belt... Done!

Thats about it.

Good luck

[cgjawz]

Originally Posted by Hoags

Are you sure it is the tensioner? If so, it is some thing you can do your self it's not that hard. there should be a bolt through the pivot end, remove the belt, then remove the bolt, line up the new tensioner install bolt, install belt... Done!

Thats about it.

Good luck

OK thanks for replying. I'm not sure if it's the tensioner? I'm guessing since the belt never made any noise before I changed the alternator. Like I said, I was also having a heard time getting the tensioner in place when reapplying the belt.

[Hoags]

Was it the fact that the tensioner would not move to allow you to get the belt on? If so you most liklely need to change it. It will only get worse and may end up damaging the belt.

Good luck,
Dan

[cgjawz]

I tensioner was not moving well at all. It made getting the belt off quite a pain. It does sound like the tensioner needs replacing, thanks again for the help...

[cgjawz]

Originally Posted by Hoags

Was it the fact that the tensioner would not move to allow you to get the belt on? If so you most liklely need to change it. It will only get worse and may end up damaging the belt.

Good luck,
Dan

Hoping for a little more help please! Took a look at the tensioner again. The back side which is mounted doesn't seem to be the way this is removed since there is really no accessable bolt. Then there is the socket head 1/2" bolt on the front which you use to pull the tensioner back to release the belt? So how exactly is the tensioner removed??
Any further help is greatly appreciated....

Kevin

[Hoags]

The tensioner should have a bolt at the pivot point. The 1/2" bolt is probably the center bolt for the pulley itself. There should be another bolt most likely recessed further down on the bracket that the pulley is mounted to. Take a look at the bracket to find the pivot point that is where you will find the mounting bolt. It may even be behind the pulley itself, if so you may have to remove the 1/2" bolt and take off the pulley to get to the mounting bolt. I hope this helps, fire back at me if you have any more questions.

Dan

After thought... Go to the parts store and ask the if you can look at the replacement assembly, you may see how the tensioner gets mounted.

[cgjawz]

OK, thanks Dan. I do understand where the bolt is now. Looks like I may need a deep well socket since the nut is in a strange place I see. I'll give er a shot....


Kevin

[Hoags]

I'm glad you found it. You are right you may need to use a deep well, just watch the knuckles.

Let me know how it goes.
Dan

[Knifeblade]

Quick way to ensure tensioner is going west~~~~

The tensoiner has two marks on it, one on the moveable portion that ya use the bolt to release tension, and the stationary backside which houses the spring that applies the tension to the moveable part that actually contacts the belt.

Essentially, if these two marks don't line up, it indicates either the belt or tensioner is going. They can be misaligned a bit, but not very much. Did ya put on a new belt after you replaced the alternator? If so, are you sure it is the correct belt?

Pulling the tensioner, moveable part, is one bolt, like Hoags states. Then ya have the staionary part behind, 4 bolts. Check your torques on the moveable bolt, when ya moved it, it slightly possible ya tightned the bolt.

Moveable tensioner bolt torque is 40 ft.lb
Stationary bolts are 18 ft.lbs

Ya can also check for tensioner or belt problems by using a belt tensioner to read tension. I not going to text that now, but if ya want, I'll do it on your request, plz email me first so I can alert to this thread to put that procedure in this thread.

[Hoags]

Knife, Thanks for the explain. I was bot aware of the indicator marks that is good to know.

[cgjawz]

Thanks to Dan and Knife for the help...I got er going today, thought I'd share a couple things about changing a tensioner on a 97 SE 4 banger. There is only 1 15MM bolt holding in the tensioner. It is mounted from behind and is not reachable without a deep length socket. You may need a breaker bar to get it loose also. Once it's free, you're all good. Lastly, you cannot change this without removal of the alternator since its in the way.

Kevin

[Hoags]

Kevin, I'm glad you got her done. Thanks for the additional info about the change that is the kind of input that helps other guys to do the job if they have to.

[Knifeblade]

Dan, read your Hayne's, or ya wanna borrow my chilton's??????? LOL, I am j/k and racing ya to the finish!!!!!!!

Regards, tam

[Knifeblade]

Kevin, glad ya got it back under control, !!!!!

But, as my prior post stated, watch those tensioner marks.