Help How to Tighten Alternator Belt!!!

[vegasjay]

Can anyone tell me how to tighten an alternator belt. What tool I would need etc. Thanks a lot.

Jayson

 

[oldman]

Can anyone tell me how to tighten an alternator belt. What tool I would need etc. Thanks a lot.

Go look at it and you should be able to figure it out. Two 12mm bolts, loosen one and adjust with the other. A service manual of some kind would be a great idea if you plan on working on the car yourself.

 

[DSM_Obsession]

i usually use a crow bar to keep the altenator tight while i tighten the screws, you'll probably need another person so that you dont kit the radiator or anything like that

 

[oldman]

i usually use a crow bar to keep the altenator tight while i tighten the screws, you'll probably need another person so that you dont kit the radiator or anything like that

You're talking about the PS belt, no crow bar needed for the alternator belt.

 

[DSM_Obsession]

You're talking about the PS belt, no crow bar needed for the alternator belt.

actually i use a crow bar on it to keep pressure on it to keep it tight, because i had one snap cause it wasnt tight enough on the pulleys and plus they so much noise

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

actually i use a crow bar on it to keep pressure on it to keep it tight, because i had one snap cause it wasnt tight enough on the pulleys and plus they so much noise

I use a prybar and my foot on the chassis to tighten mine up. You definitely get it tighter with a crowbar or prybar.

 

[Cheks_Talon_TSi]

actually i use a crow bar on it to keep pressure on it to keep it tight, because i had one snap cause it wasnt tight enough on the pulleys and plus they so much noise

I agree with him... Be sure to tight it very well, if it isn't adjusted correctly the belt will be making noise everytime you get your car "on" or your A/C or somo other accesories...

Good Luck!

Sergio G.

 

[tranman91]

I use a prybar and my foot on the chassis to tighten mine up. You definitely get it tighter with a crowbar or prybar.

I'm not sure about how everyone elses alternator is mounted, but mine has three bolts. The main pivot bolt, the upper bolt on the slider bracket, and another which adjust the tension from a front bracket. It sits perpendicular to the alternator and moves it forward and back...thus not requiring the use of a prybar.

 

[oldman]

I'm not sure about how everyone elses alternator is mounted, but mine has three bolts. The main pivot bolt, the upper bolt on the slider bracket, and another which adjust the tension from a front bracket. It sits perpendicular to the alternator and moves it forward and back...thus not requiring the use of a prybar.

I'm with you there, I have never used a prybar and never had problems with alternator belt except when my crank pulley came apart. I still don't understand how a praybar would help in tensioning the alternator belt when the adjustment bolt is what determines how far the alternator pivots.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

I'm with you there, I have never used a prybar and never had problems with alternator belt except when my crank pulley came apart. I still don't understand how a praybar would help in tensioning the alternator belt when the adjustment bolt is what determines how far the alternator pivots.

I'm not sure about how everyone elses alternator is mounted, but mine has three bolts. The main pivot bolt, the upper bolt on the slider bracket, and another which adjust the tension from a front bracket. It sits perpendicular to the alternator and moves it forward and back...thus not requiring the use of a prybar.

Ok, mine is set up exactly the same way as the authors is. What you want to do is use the prybar to get the belt tight enough then tighten down the bolt that the alternator pivots on. After you do that then you'll tighten the bolt that is in the slot restricting any back and forth movement. Finally you would tension that last screw that is supposed to keep things from moving.

I've had to retighten by alternator belt numerous times over the years until I started using a prybar to get it really tight. When you run high rpms 5k+ it tends to loosen that whole assembly and the alt belt gets slack in it and then starts squeeling when its cold, or wet, or just starting the car, or accelerating hard.

Without the prybar I wouldn't be surprised if it worked its way loose in about 1000 miles. 500 miles with hard driving.

 

[97gs-spyder]

I agree with him... Be sure to tight it very well, if it isn't adjusted correctly the belt will be making noise everytime you get your car "on" or your A/C or somo other accesories...

Good Luck!

Sergio G.

I have that exact problem. Is it because it's not tight enough or just not adjusted correctly? F**k you can't trust any shops to do a simple job right.

 

[Cheks_Talon_TSi]

Ok, mine is set up exactly the same way as the authors is. What you want to do is use the prybar to get the belt tight enough then tighten down the bolt that the alternator pivots on. After you do that then you'll tighten the bolt that is in the slot restricting any back and forth movement. Finally you would tension that last screw that is supposed to keep things from moving.

I've had to retighten by alternator belt numerous times over the years until I started using a prybar to get it really tight. When you run high rpms 5k+ it tends to loosen that whole assembly and the alt belt gets slack in it and then starts squeeling when its cold, or wet, or just starting the car, or accelerating hard.

Without the prybar I wouldn't be surprised if it worked its way loose in about 1000 miles. 500 miles with hard driving.

That's what I was talking about... If you don't use the prybar you will be hearing that horrible squeeling when starting your car or when you turn on your A/C...

Good Luck

 

[wolf20043]

I'm with you there, I have never used a prybar and never had problems with alternator belt except when my crank pulley came apart. I still don't understand how a praybar would help in tensioning the alternator belt when the adjustment bolt is what determines how far the alternator pivots.

I agree here too. I just use the tensioner bolt to tighten it, and tighten the bolt that holds it from moving afterwards.
Mike

 

[oldman]

I guess I can see that the alternator might move a little when tightening up the lock bolt so using a praybar wouldn't hurt but I honestly have never had problems with the belt coming loose, maybe you guys need to work on your mechanical skills. Happy New Year.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

I guess I can see that the alternator might move a little when tightening up the lock bolt so using a praybar wouldn't hurt but I honestly have never had problems with the belt coming loose, maybe you guys need to work on your mechanical skills. Happy New Year.

ha ha ha! Low blow. You were cooler as a Wiseman... jk

 

[Cheks_Talon_TSi]

maybe you guys need to work on your mechanical skills. Happy New Year.

Jajajajejejej Very funny jajajajjejeje