skwidstyle2

how do i loosen the tensioner? i was able to get belts off but getting the new ones on without releasing tension seems impossible & i cant figure out how to loosen the tensioner pulley. anyone?

Skirmich

The pulley itself has a spring which pushes the roller bearing into the belt with pressure (Thus Tensioning) in order to release this Tension you must pull the pulley away from the belt..


This is the Pulley Roller:



Here is a brand new Tensioner Assembly:







Now the Pulley Roller has a single BOLT! This bolt contrary to normal bolts don't get un-bolt counter clock wise! This special Bolt gets snug by turning it clock wise (Contrary to almost any other bolt in the car) so you can insert your wrench in it and pull it counter-clock wise in order to raise it (It wont un-bolt the bolt its impossible) when you have the tensioner up then you can remove it by the Alternator Pulley and the whole belt will come off.


Bear in mind the pulley will rest lower than usual since there is no belt. You just re-verse procedure to install but you have to insert your wrench lower in order to raise the pulley higher than normal to install the belt again.


Hope it helps..

skwidstyle2

ok so i got that belt on ... now i cannot get the belt that just comes up to the top pulley on (the internal of the 2 on the crank pulley). its like right there but like something needs to be loosened in order to get it on ... or do you just need to use brute strength and pull it over that top pulley? i have taken off that top pulley, placed belt over & tried to place pulley back onto stud & if i had something with good enough leverage could probably do it - it gets RIGHT THERE ... but wont make it.

skwidstyle2

...anyone please help

3.2TLc

Are ya sure that ya have the right part # size of belt ?
If so, by fully relieving the tension pressure of the auto-tensioner mechanism, this in turn should permit the belt to fit over the component's pulley.

fsttyms1

How did you get the belts off?

For the power steering belt, You have to loosen the tension on it. If you look at your plastic intake cover near the power steering pump you will see a notch cut out and a bolt. You need to loosen the nut and back it off quite a bit. Then you will probably have to loosen the nut under the ps pump to get the pump to pivot down. Your belt should slip over it very easy. Now BE CAREFUL not to over tighten the belt or you will destroy the bearings in the ps pump very easy. I like to tighten it until there is about 1" of flex in the belt. If its too loose and makes noise you can always tighten it a little more.

skwidstyle2

...ok so ill need a deep socket to get to that nut - do you know the size off hand? and the nut under the pump, is this one kinda straight down from the upper one about 3 or 4 inches?

acutee

Be careful not to over tighten the tension.

acutee

What belt are you talking about? PS Belt or Serpentine Belt?

skwidstyle2

ps ... serpentine already on. i've basically given up i cannot get the ps belt on. dont wanna drive to a shop but i may have to with no ps belt on. yes its the correct belt for the underdrive pulley & yes i double checked to be sure. i cannot loosen the ps pump like stated above i take off the 2 bolts & its like my ps pump is connected to my intake manifold - it gets absolutely zero loose so i cannot tilt it down.

acutee

I assume you already got the belt to the area through the side engine mount. I can't remember exactly either 2 or 3 bolts you have to work with, but if you can't slip the belt over then first you need to loose up the bolt behind the pulley, then losen up the tension bolt below the pulley. You have to lose up the tension bolt in order to lower the pulley for the belt to go on the pulley.

skwidstyle2

dam i finally got it!!! thanks to all of you that chimed in i really really appreciate it.

3.2TLc

Persistence and a little bit of help from your 'Ziner friends will help ya get through the task.