I SWEAR THE NEXT TENSIONER I HAVE TO REPLACE I WILL TAKE IT OUT AND THROW IT THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE REPLACED 4 TENSIONERS IN THE PAST 3 years. granted this was on diff trucks but all were mazda with the ford 3.0. I just dont get why these tensioners wear out so fast. i can put these things in, in my sleep

 

I would say it's not the part, but the mechanic if it was the same truck, so your off the hook ha ha.

 

Well, i would suspect that the pulley is getting contaminated with oil or antifreeze which allows dirt and friction inside the bearings.

 

If they were on different trucks, not much you can do. I just replaced one on my friends 3.0 a few weeks ago. Upon closer inspection the seals were eaten and the bearings were dry.

Matt

 

I just thinks a factory flaw. I have a buddy that is having the same issue he is on his way over rite now so i can change his. Poor design.

 

Humm, I rarely see the Tensioner go bad on those 3.0L it is usually the danged idler pully I see a lot of I bet I have done 100 of them and only about 10 tensioners

 

Well i was thinking it could be the idler pulley on my truck. was making no since after i put a new belt on and less then 2k later it started swuealing again. no fluid leaks the belt is dry.

 

I would check it first for sure!!!

 

um, chances are your pullies are off and it is riding to the back or front of the idler and this causes the bearings to go bad. i fixed mine and ive been fine for a while now

Matt

 

i have a 2003 3.0L and have replaced the idler and tensioner 3 times already do to the damn squeeking. I have seen this a lot in the shop i work at. Seems pretty common, and btw mine started at 3k miles the first time.

 

well i replaced the idler pulley and the tensioner and put a new belt on it. we will see.