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another belt question

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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 01:25 PM
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another belt question

okay, am I supposed to loosen the center bolt on the tensioner? If I pull to the right, the tensioner moves but it's tightening the belt, if I move to the left, the center bolt loosens. What's the deal?
 

Last edited by PowerLines; Jan 12, 2008 at 02:23 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by PowerLines
okay, am I supposed to loosen the center bolt on the tensioner? If I pull to the right, the tensioner moves but it's tightening the belt, if I move to the left, the center bolt loosens. What's the deal?
I'll take a guess at this, because I can only think of the tensioner holding on the serpentine belt. If you're talking about something else, this may or may not apply.

The tensioner does just what it sounds like it should do. Moving it to relieve belt tension allows you to remove the belt.

If the center bolt loosens, it's most likely going bad and should be replaced. That is, if you're unable to tighten the center bolt. I don't know which way you need to turn it to tighten, but there's really only two directions to choose from. Try tightening the bolt. If it tightens, you might be in luck. If not, replace it.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 02:33 PM
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Forgot to say, "And welcome to FTE."
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 03:22 PM
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I can tighten the bolt. I got the old belt off with a pair of scissors since it was shredded anyway, now I just don't know how to loosen the tensioner enough to get the last bit of belt on a pulley. Like I said before, going right tightens and going left just loosens the center bolt.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 03:34 PM
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You need to put your ratchet/wrench on the bolt for the pulley not the bolt for the tensioner. Then push toward the passenger fender. That will release the spring tension in the tensioner.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 06:56 PM
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thanks tj, simple once I figured out I had the dual pulley system. They also gave me the wrong belt.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 07:02 PM
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Did you get the right belt yet or do you have to go back? They will not have a listing for the dual pulley tensioner but just order a belt for a 99-03 Ford F-350 with the 7.3 they are the same belt as the our trucks when the dual pulley tensioner is used.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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yeah I already went back, I just brought the original one in and they matched the numbers to their brand and it fits.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 09:45 PM
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There you go; I had the impression you had the socket on the tensioner pulley bolt, not the tensioner mounting bolts.

I apologize for misleading you.
 
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