I was looking for some help on how to set the appropriate tension with this poly v-belt tensioner. I searched the forum and found a few posts that touch on this but do not get into the detail. Detail in the CD-ROM is sketchy from my perspective....To be extremely precise I am trying to figure out how to set the tension marker? Can anyone who has done this in the past illuminate; step by step would be great....?

My car has the "old" style belt tensioner i.e the overengineered type with a tensioning bolt and a separate tension adjustment rod that goes through a hole in a bracket on the Power Steering Pump reservoir assembly.


Thanks

__________________
Matt
____________________________
92 400E 128K
99 GMC YUKON 88K

The procedure I used was as follows:

1. Remove old tensioner & tensioning
rod and serpentine belt.

2. Remove plastic "indicator"/"pointer"
thingymagig from old one. The new
one did not come with one

3. Install "pointer" on new one. Set to
top most mark on new tensioner

4. Install tensioner + rod (through PS
pump bracket) with big clamping bolt.
Hand tighten only.

5. Install serpentine belt per original
routing; this should be "loose" at
this stage

6. Start turning tensioning rod nut...
Slack in belt will start getting taken
up....Continue to tighten until
"pointer" is precisely in the middle of
the 4 notches/marks on the
tensioner side. The belt should be
snug around all pulleys etc...Check
to ensure it is on all pulleys and
lines up correctly.
I used a small mechanic's mirror to
check bottom side of alternator pulley
and the starter....These are way
down there!

7. Now tighten big clamping bolt to
100NM.

__________________
Matt
____________________________
92 400E 128K
99 GMC YUKON 88K

Good instruction. I'm at the point where I need to replace my belt and tensioner. Can you offer a few more instructions with respect to removing the old tensioner?

step by step, do you loosen the rod first, remove the belt then remove the tensioner by removing the bolt in its center?

upon installing the new tensioner, do you install the new tensioner with the bolt hand tight, install belt, install rod finger tight, adjust rod to get desired tension on the belt (within the marks) then complete the job my applying 100NM to the center bolt?

Sorry for the need for details, my mechanical IQ can get challenged pretty easily...THX

__________________
Jeff
'87 300E
'92 400E
'06 ML350

I think you have it figured out!

__________________
Matt
____________________________
92 400E 128K
99 GMC YUKON 88K