Auto tensioner

[RossY]

I just got an auto tensioner from someone on the boards and im just curious how to get the piston in the reset position. The tensioner isn't on the car so i was thinking maybe a vice would do? I don't know if there is anything else i need to do in order to get the piston retracted other than compress it.

 

[TSIfreek]

Yea compress it in a vice and pit a paper clip in the hole when it lines up.

 

[RossY]

whats with the man. I asked this question because the amount of pressure my new tensioner puts out compared to the old one is way more. I mean i could actually compress the old piston with in my palm. So the reason i asked the question is because if i put the new piston end on the ground and push down, i still can't even budge it. I didn't know if this was normal or if there was something wrong with the new one. I mean, i knew my old one was bad but i didn't know that it was that bad.

 

[90AWDTalon]

I just got done doing a timing belt job on my car. I installed a brand new tensioner and didn't have the special tool. On my first try I didn't get the tension right so I had to pull the tensioner off. I tried compressing the pin by hand, then with large chanel locks, then tried using my jack as an upside down press. None of these worked, the tension is extreamly high. My manual says to use a vise, and to do it very slowly. I didn't have a vice so I use a 6" C-clamp.

 

[RossY]

i thought about a c clamp but mine are too small so im just gonna go witht he vice. Thanks for the input.

 

[dthquazi1]

be sure to put a rag between the vice and the tensioner unless you have a soft toothed vice.

 

[FlipDsM]

hey guys, i wonder how much can you get a new auto tensioner? some local shop quote me for $170 bucks , is this really how much this thing is? mine i think is still o.k. though, i tried to press it to the wall, ground and i couldnt' even move an cm., the only thing that worked was a C-clamp ,...oh, and uhm, everyone is right about the special too,.. you only need it when ur doing the timing belt the first time, the second time around, you can get around it without the special tool..

 

[philipkrotch]

hey guys, i wonder how much can you get a new auto tensioner? some local shop quote me for $170 bucks , is this really how much this thing is? mine i think is still o.k. though, i tried to press it to the wall, ground and i couldnt' even move an cm., the only thing that worked was a C-clamp ,...oh, and uhm, everyone is right about the special too,.. you only need it when ur doing the timing belt the first time, the second time around, you can get around it without the special tool..

like 56 bucks. go to mitsupartsdirect.com ...email Mike Deal.

 

[90AWDTalon]

If I remember right, mine was about $70.

 

[DevilSperm]

i just paid $104