alternator tensioner help

[razey]

Hey guys,

So i replaced my alternator and battery because i was having issues with the car starting. This fixed my problem.
I am having trouble with the alternator tensioner, Is there a specific tension i need to set it at? I don't have a tension wrench but will buy one if i need to.
I tightened it up, drove it around for a bit and noticed a squeal when i start the car now. When i came back home, i noticed the tensioner had come loose from the bracket. So my question might sound stupid, sorry, but how tight should it be? can i measure it and do like 1 inch from the bottom of the bracket? or do i have to get a tension wrench?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[ndsti]

Try this tighten up the belt until you can only move it about 1/4 of an inch. In other words tighten the belt until you can only move it 1/4" with your finger.

 

[SpyderDSM]

Try this tighten up the belt until you can only move it about 1/4 of an inch. In other words tighten the belt until you can only move it 1/4" with your finger.

agreed, this is a good general rule. however, the new belt will slightly loosen over time. make sure you don't have any dimming of your lights at idle and if you start hearing a squealing noise at idle you know the belt is loose again. you dont want it too tight though, no sense in cracking a new belt. but I like the 1/4" rule, mines not exactly like that all the time but its pretty damn close (you can tell ive had issues with this). good luck

 

[razey]

Hey Guys,

So i went out and tightened it to about 1/4 inch of belt movement, it seems fine at idle but when i do some spirited driving around the block it pops right off. I made sure i was pushing it all the way into the u-shaped thing, but am still having troubles. Can someone maybe take a ruler out and measure how much space between the middle bolt and the end? so i can get an idea of how much i should tighten it?
I had it pretty tight but no luck =-( it sucks that this is keeping me from driving around!

Thanks,
Steve

 

[black_gst]

add a lock washer and/or locktite, its your hardware comming lose

 

[SpyderDSM]

add a lock washer and/or locktite, its your hardware comming lose

nut should be loosened, then tighten the belt and test, then tighten the nut back up. similar to above but you can also use a piece of wood or equivalent to push the alternator into possition. my problem was the alternator being too close to the center of the engine bay, so it sweaked and always came loose.

 

[dmock]

I had a similar problem with my tensioner, except mine fell off on the highway :/ I cant find where I can get a new one anywhere or even a part number. Any ideas?? I need the bolt that goes into the alternator the other one that tightens the belt and the little dog house thing.