Importance of tensioner arm

[mitsubro93]

Sorry if the title is a bit misleading but what I am wondering is how important it would be to replace and inspect the tensioner arm itself? I only ask you guys because I saw a guy on YouTube rebuilding his 4g and he said that if you slide your existing arm on and can feel side to side play or back and forth play without the arm itself moving it has to get replaced. I assume this is something major and because I will be going back to redo my cam seals, balance shaft pulley and idler pulley I am considering knocking this out as well. The same guy on YouTube also said that the round machined cylinder that this arm rides on over time wears down and apparently your screwed if that happens unless someone were to fab a bushing insert to make it true again. I feel like the auto tensioner would take up any random slack but im no expert. What are your thoughts on this guys?

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

It will make your timing belt ride in a funny position, risking coming off is what I believe some have said.

 

[brian9397gsx]

Yep I recently went through this my belt was eating itself and after inspecting everything the arm and mount was at fault.

 

[mitsubro93]

The Arm and the mount? So how do you fix a bad mount? That’s insane every piece underneath that timing cover is seriously functional!

 

[motomattx]

The Arm and the mount? So how do you fix a bad mount? That’s insane every piece underneath that timing cover is seriously functional!

It aint there for looks.

 

[mitsubro93]

Yeah it’s the little things really right. I’m still wondering though how can someone fix a bad mount for the tensioner arm? I’m only asking because I know in the future if I rebuild my motor that’s one detail I would like to get perfect.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Well, really, you could have it machined and a sleeve put on it like a micro sleeve or thicker but I haven't heard of anyone making one YET.
Now that they are discontinued I bet we have some skilled personnel on here that could come up with a solution that, now, needs to be solved.
Anyone????

 

[motomattx]

For now just get another one that has little wear, thats really all you can do, unless you want to invest a lot of time and money in a restoration on that old part for some reason.