Snap ring pliers to set tension?

Sebba · Feb 13, 2012

Looking at the tensioner tool, the first thing that came to mind was using a pair of 90 deg snap ring pliers to get the job done. I can't think of a reason why this would be a bad idea.

pauleyman · Feb 13, 2012

It works but it's clumsy compared to the factory tool or equivalent.

Sebba · Feb 13, 2012

I guess that would depend on the brand of plier you're using. The one I had in mind has interchangeable pins too.

I'm going to give this a shot.

stars · Feb 13, 2012

You need that tool imo, some will tell you differently but that's because they done it before and are familiar with using something other than the required toolage. The tool is adapted to fit those 2 holes exactly and has built in 1/4 inch adapter. The factory wants you to use a 1/4 torque wrench to put the exact torque to that tensioner (In Nm). In my opinion the tool is important and if used correctly will ensure that you have the correct belt tension setup.

VTEC_THIS · Feb 13, 2012

We've done this in the past when putting on a new timing belt. It worked fine. Our 90* pliers were a little too thick so we had to grind them down a bit but it sounds like you're onto the right idea with the interchangeable pins.

Would you mind posting a picture or link for the pliers you plan on using if you get the chance?

Sebba · Feb 13, 2012

I don't have a picture, but I know they're available at your average auto parts store.

The brand may have been OEM...

Fejery4491 · Feb 13, 2012

I've done this for years as a tech. My mitsu tools usually stay in my home box

Sebba · Feb 13, 2012

My other thought was angled needle nose, but those I'm sure I would have to grind. The snap ring pliers look like a perfect tool for the job.

Thanks Fejery4491! How do you know when the tension is appropriate?

DSM1G90 · Feb 13, 2012

I use an allen wrench to go into one of the holes and a socket that fits on the pulley bolt.

Socket acts like a fulcrum to rotate the allen around the socket to set tension... trick is shown in the VFAQ Site - Visual Frequently Answered Questions section

ed1380 · Feb 13, 2012

Just grab the bottom of the pulley and pull it up with your hand, and tighten with the other hand. Just need to get the belt snug.

Kevin4G63 · Feb 15, 2012

That's how I do it too. And I always piont the 2 holes of the tensioner towards the lowest balancer.
This way you get the right pre-tension.

The reason I do this is because whe had some customer who had leave there car in 1st gear on a hill. When they came back and started the car the belt skipped a few teeth.

Sebba · Feb 15, 2012

Lowest balancer? Can you show me what you mean?

Kevin4G63 · Feb 15, 2012

I can't show you right now but what I mean is when your our looking at your frontcase, I always set my tensioner''holes'' towards the balancershaft on the right-below(the one thats on the timingbelt).
You could say the tensioner is at 5 o'clock.

Hope you follow me

Sebba · Feb 15, 2012

Now I understand. Thank you!

93xsg · Feb 15, 2012

I used small bent tip needle nose pliers and it worked PERFECTLY! didnt even need the threaded rod tool

ed1380 · Feb 15, 2012

Then you didn't compress the hydraulic tensioner, which is meant to take up the slack as the belt stretches. You might want to recheck your belt.

Sebba · Feb 15, 2012

Not unless you remove it, and manually re-compress it.

Kevin4G63 · Feb 16, 2012

What I do when I remove the hydraulic tensioner, I re-compress it so that the holes line up and I can put a pin through them. Now when I'm putting tension on the timingbelt-tensioner the pin I just put in should be moveable. This way I always know I've got the right pre-tension.
And as I said earlier, when I've done that the tensioner''holes'' are pointing towards the lower balancer.

There were times I used a snapring plier but there's a risk its snaps off and one cam skips some teeth.

DSM1G90 · Feb 16, 2012

Easy trick to set tension: with the "grenade pin" in the autotensioner, you roll the tensioner pulley until the pin just becomes to feel (or can be turned) loose then tighten up the pulley bolt.

Let it sit for a bit, then do your mandantory six revs on the crank sprocket, then test the pin. If the pin suddenly isn't loose or can be pulled (or turned) easily, gotta do it again.

You want that light tension on the grenade pin to be your guide for this adjustment - this gets the adjuster and pulley both where they need to be.

Jon91TSi · Feb 16, 2012

DSM1G90 said:
Easy trick to set tension: with the "grenade pin" in the autotensioner, you roll the tensioner pulley until the pin just becomes to feel (or can be turned) loose then tighten up the pulley bolt.

Let it sit for a bit, then do your mandantory six revs on the crank sprocket, then test the pin. If the pin suddenly isn't loose or can be pulled (or turned) easily, gotta do it again.

You want that light tension on the grenade pin to be your guide for this adjustment - this gets the adjuster and pulley both where they need to be.

^ This, but I always use the Jay Racing spanner to set the tension on the eccentric pulley. 99% of the time I get it right every time. I put my new belt on my car last and had it right the 1st time. It's very simple after you've done it dozens and dozens and dozens of times... LOL

ENICKB · Feb 16, 2012

U only need a couple ft lbs.. i have done many.. i usually use my index and thumb.

gakattack456 · Feb 20, 2012

snap pliers have worked for me several times. I have been able to set tensioner perfectly so that the pin slides right out on its own. +1^^ only requires a couple ft. lbs

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Snap ring pliers to set tension?

Sebba

pauleyman

Sebba

stars

VTEC_THIS

Sebba

Fejery4491

Sebba

DSM1G90

ed1380

Kevin4G63

Sebba

Kevin4G63

Sebba

93xsg

ed1380

Sebba

Kevin4G63

DSM1G90

Jon91TSi

ENICKB

gakattack456

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