Decided before driving into snow country up north (Gardnerville, NV) I better change out my belt tensioner and other pulleys. Been on the list for a little while. Easy job I thought.
Turns out, there's a little keeper on the new tensioner that keeps the unit from going to the "apply tension" mode.
Installed the tensioner then went to install the new belt. Belt an inch or two to long? WT Heck?
Removed the Tensioner and had a hard look at this little rusty "keeper" holding it in the "loose belt" position.
Went at it with a flat smaller screw driver to release the "keeper". Kept fingers out of the way and watched the tensioner snap back the the tensioning position. Happens fast and Violent. Hope I didn't hurt it.
Why would they lock it in "open" position when you can't easily remove the "keeper" when tensioner installed?
Stupid engineers.
A relaxed spring always lasts longer. Like the firing pin spring on your weapon. Lasts longer when relaxed til time to use it against the bad guy.

 

I've changed a few and never had to deal with any sort of "keeper".

Would sure like to see a picture but ..........

Glad you got it done tho!!

Denny

 

I have heard of a device that holds the tensioner retracted so you can remove and replace the serpentine belt without holding it back by hand but I have not been able to find it on mine. I haven't gone on a mission to find it yet though.

 

Last one I installed had a keeper, metal clip. After install use breaker bar and socket to put tension on it against the spring collapsing it just a little more. that takes pressure off the keeper then you can remove it easier.

 

This right here is the correct way to release the locking mechanism on the belt tensioner. When I removed my belt tensioner 2 months ago I didn't see the locking bar on my oem belt tensioner either, it was gone. But yes, the preplacement did have one.

 

Don't forget to check the idler pulley on top. You can clean it and repack it pretty easily if you don't feel like replacing it. Unless of course you feel it needs replacing. Too the touch (pulling/pushing), It shouldn't have any play in it.

 

... skipped comment.

 

When released the spring sort of just hangs below. The last belt I did, I thought the tensioner spring was broken until I took a closer look. The lock makes it really easy to install the new belt. No need to hold the tensioner while lining up the belt with one hand. Just slide the belt over all the pulleys, take the pressure off the lock with a breaker bar, and release the lock to tension it.

 

Here it is..

 

yup,
much better picture! thanks CC

 

Never had a clue on my two change-outs. Unsure if that's post failure and they incorporated that. But now you can honestly say you taught someone something! Thanx, hopefully next time I have to do it as I get up in years, the new owner will enjoy my/your knowledge.

Thanx for the follow.


Denny

 

Well, guess I screwed that up. I disabled it (broke it) and and it went in the trash. So now I have to use the breaker bar like usual to take the belt off and install it. No big deal to me. No directions mentioning that little keeper and when mounted the tensioner it didn't want to budge in either direction with the breaker bar.
Works fine still and it's a new tensioner.

 

I just spit my beer on the screen!!!!!!!!1

That's the shipping detent from getting nailed in transit like a skeet thrower!!!


It works right!!!

Denny

 

No disrespect intended. I buy locally. Did you have this mailed in? Reason I say this is because it reduces the box size for shipping.

All the best,

Denny

 

Wound up buying at O'Reillys. Just put 1K miles on it and no worries.