You technically don't need to use that tensioner! Apply force downward on the alternator to put the amount of tension you want on the belt then tighten the top bolt and the bottom bolt where it pivots! You tighten them enough the alternator wont move! And since you have a nice solid tensioner bracket(unlike me \/) it would work perfectly fine.

Its the easiest fix for now, i had to do this because the bolt that hold the tensioner bracket to the head had stripped the hole on the head. Have to rely on this till i can retap the head!


If you need it done asap I would do it this way till you figure the real problem. Which is probably just a stripped tensioner bolt!
Cant give a part number thought! :/
Just take it off inspect it, if damaged, get it sized and replaced!

Push down on it then tighten until the belt feels good. Then tighten the bolt on the side to hold it in place. You're making this more difficult then it needs to be.

I used a copper washer on mine to keep it from slipping around. It actually worked until I replaced my alternator and never got another copper washer.

Is the tensioner bolt popping up out of the notch in the bracket? If that's the case use a long screwdriver or something to press down on the head of the tensioner bolt as you tighten the lock bolt. The clockwise rotation of the lock bolt causes this. As it gets tight it grabs and rotates the tensioner bolt up and out of the notch.

The Lock Bolt is the one that's loosening up. Driving me insane.

Issue Resolved. Had to use a Lock Nut on the other end of the Lock Bolt. It works.
Thanks for all the help, guys.

For those having the tensioner bolt popping up out of the notch in the bracket, putting a washer under the bolt head helps.

I use 2 zip ties in on the bolt to keep it from popping out of the notch, just "X" around the bolt and bracket.

stilletto said:

Just replaced my Serpentine Belts, and now the Alternator Tensioner Bolt keeps popping loose. I've had my buddy standing there with a pry bar keeping the Alternator is place while I crank the Tensioner Bolt tight, and then when I go to tighten down the Lock Bolt, when it's just about as tight as I can get it, it loosens up again.
Went to the hardware store and bought a new bolt thinking the original might be stripped, but same thing happens.. tightens down a bit, then loosens up. It's driving me nuts.
Does anyone have any part numbers for the two bolts? Or any idea on what's going on?
Thanks in advance.

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http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/what-is-this-alternator-bolt-called.399556/

This should help but does anyone know if I can pull these bolts from a Chrysler Sebring or a dodge avenger? I know they have a similar alternator

Put a washer on like this: http://www.dsmtuners.com/attachments/alt-tensioner-ps-pump-gone-jpg.144444/