tensioner..how to replace?

miamisl2 · 04-16-2003, 05:15 AM

i cant find in the haynes manual on how to take out the belt tensioner..it seems to be shaking and causing a clacking noise...noise started after it was replaced a year and a half ago. anyway is it possibly fixable? (vibrates a little) if not how do i take it out?(do i just keep ratcheting the bolt counter clockwise past the point where the belt is loosened?) and how much does one run

thanks a lot

monkeyracing · 04-16-2003, 03:29 PM

To get the pulley itself off, rotate that nut counterclockwise. To remove the entire tensioner (which is the real problem anyway) the two bolts holding that on are near the alternator. They're a ***** to get at.

Jim

MD_BLUE_SL2 · 04-16-2003, 10:17 PM

Here are some more instructions that I wrote/posted on another site.

Quote:

Im not sure if there is a set interval on the changing of these items, but I just recently changed mine. My belt was givving a horribly loud squeal.

Changing the tensioner isnt an incredibly dificult job, but getting the proper angle to remove the bolts holding it on can be tough.
To the best of my memory, these are the steps that I followed to change the tensioner:
1. Purchase a new tensioner assembly from the dealership ($127 + tax)
2. Jack up the car, and secure it on jackstands
3. Remove the front passenger wheel. (removal of the plastic within the wheel well is not necessary)
4. Locate the old tensioner ( above & left of the crank pulley)
5. Loosen the tensioner to remove the old serpentine belt.

In the center of the tensioner pulley, you'll see a bolt. Turn this bolt to the right, as if you were trying to tighten it. This may require a large amount of torque, I used a breaker bar to do this. Once you rotate the bolt, the tensioner pulley will "slide" down/right and create slack so you can remove the old serpentine belt.

6. Remove the Tensioner asembly
There are two bolts (one on the left, one on the right) that attach the tensioner assembly to the engine. These bolts were hard to get the proper angle/torque so this took me the longest time. I was able to remove the bolt on the right (nearest the front of the car) while I was lying down underneath. For the bolt on the left (nearest the firewall) I actually had to reach down through the top of the engine bay to remove it (once again using my breaker bar). Once you get those two bolts aloose, you simply remove the tensioner.

Installation is simply the reverse of the removal. Once the new assembly is attached, you have to install the new belt using the same procedure to remove it as in step 5 above. On the front of the engine bay (on the flat par where your hood prop rests, there should be a diagram showing the proper routing of the serpentine belt. Check this diagram to make sure that you reinstall the belt properly, and visually inspect the belt at all of the pullies to make sure that they are seated properly in their respective grooves. Once I figured out how to properly remove the tensioner, the procedure took me about 1hr 15min. If I remember correctly, the bolts attaching te tensioner to the engine block were 10mm. I'm not sure of your mechanical expertise, but be sure to thoroughly look at the location of everything so that when you get started on the work, you'll know exactly what to expect. I have the haynes manual for my car, but it didnt really help alot. I called some buddies for assistance (Thank poc301!)

Good luck. I hope the instructions help you. If you have any further questions on this procedure, feel free to ask