Tensioner arm wear question

[Aarontsiawd]

Hi,
I'm doing a complete timing belt change on my '93 Talon Tsi and I noticed that the tensioner arm (the part that presses on the tensioner plunger and compresses it) has a round worn spot on it's end where it touched the tensioner plunger. This is not just a surface shine, it actually is a indentation in the arm itself. I'm thinking that because the new tensioner plunger will sit inside this indentation, I will not be able to set the .15 gap measurement correctly. Could I file down the surface of the arm tip to make it all level so that the tensioner plunger gap can be set correctly? Would this be an acceptable repair or should I just replace the arm?
Thanks,
Aaron

 

[steve]

The divot makes it hard to measure the correct extension of the auto tensioner pin.
You could weld it up and grind it flat, just grind the arm, or replace it. Check the pivot point too for wear. Since it's not greased at the factory by the time the arm has a indent worn in it the pivot is starting to wear and that will cause the belt to walk once its worn enough.

Steve

 

[Aarontsiawd]

Thanks for replying. Other than the identation, the arm looks fine and fits well on it's pivot post. The inside of the arm has a grease groove that had some dried up grease in it, so I think it had at least some lubrication. The pivot post has no scarring or scratching. This is my first DSM timing belt change and I bought all new parts including a new waterpump. I'm not trying to cut corners, but the sooner I finish the job, the sooner I can get back to driving it.
Aaron

The divot makes it hard to measure the correct extension of the auto tensioner pin.
You could weld it up and grind it flat, just grind the arm, or replace it. Check the pivot point too for wear. Since it's not greased at the factory by the time the arm has a indent worn in it the pivot is starting to wear and that will cause the belt to walk once its worn enough.

Steve

 

[BUCK]

I just hit it with a File & "undented" it.

 

[steve]

Sounds like your in good shape to do what Buck did. Just grease the pivot and you should be fine after you flatten the contact point out.

Steve