belt tensioner

[drjim2084]

how do you remove the belt tensioner for the serpentine belt

 

[Xplorer82]

how do you remove the belt tensioner for the serpentine belt

there should be a diagram on the radiator support w/details.

use a 3/8" breaker bar in the place provided and turn it to loosen the tension and slip the belt off.

 

[fixxxer]

To remove the tensioner (not just loosen the tensioner so you can remove the belt) There is one bolt that holds it to the front of the engine block. You may have to remove the fan shroud and maybe the fan, the fan clutch and the serpentine belt to even see the bolt(s) you have to remove to take the belt tensioner and it's bracket off. I think there is just the one bolt for the bracket and then there is one for the pulley itself. Once the tensioner/bracket assembly have been removed, you can hold the bracket in a bench-vise and remove the bolt holding the tensioner pulley to the bracket. I will try to find documents showing/explaining how and post it here.

 

[fixxxer]

The bolt (I think it's a 13mm bolt) holding the tensioner/bracket assembly is in the recessed center of the spring housing (left side of the picture) shown in this picture. (keep in mind, this bolt may have left-handed threads):

 

[fixxxer]

Check out this guide on ehow.com
remove-tensioner-pulley-ford-explorer

 

[saewoody]

When I did mine a couple years ago, all I did was remove the belt. I didn't have to move any other accessories to get the to bolt in the tensioner. If you can get a tool down there to loosen the tensioner to release the belt, you can get a tool down there to loosen the bolt. If I recall correctly the bolt is slightly recessed; that should help make room for the socket. Good luck.

 

[t0bytoo]

The bolt (I think it's a 13mm bolt) holding the tensioner/bracket assembly is in the recessed center of the spring housing (left side of the picture) shown in this picture. (keep in mind, this bolt may have left-handed threads):

Can you tell me where the 'square hole' for releasing the tension is?
Am I looking in entirely the wrong place?

Thanks

 

[waskly]

Can you tell me where the 'square hole' for releasing the tension is?
Am I looking in entirely the wrong place?

Thanks

its on the other side of the picture. or the front of the tentioner. that is the back side picture.

 

[t0bytoo]

My tensioner actually looks like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14198698@N00/5182824847/in/set-72157625405127246/

Should there be a square hole on the back of this?

thanks

 

[waskly]

My tensioner actually looks like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14198698@N00/5182824847/in/set-72157625405127246/

Should there be a square hole on the back of this?

thanks

no you use the pulley bolt, and turn go clock wise. with the tool.

 

[t0bytoo]

So I loosen the pulley bolt and turn the pulley clockwise?

Sorry if this sounds dumb. I'm not sure what I'm doing.

 

[waskly]

So I loosen the pulley bolt and turn the pulley clockwise?

Sorry if this sounds dumb. I'm not sure what I'm doing.

you are putting a wrench, belt install tool or a ratchet / socket combo, and turning it right, tighten, the belt pulley bolt, will move the tentioner.

 

[t0bytoo]

I put a 15mm socket over the bolt in the center of the belt pulley.

When I undo the bolt, the pulley becomes loose with sideways movement, but the position of the pulley doesn't change. I'm expecting some kind of spring to release.

When I tighten the bolt, there is less movement in the pulley, but the position doesn't change.

Pretty sure I'm not doing this right

 

[waskly]

I put a 15mm socket over the bolt in the center of the belt pulley.

When I undo the bolt, the pulley becomes loose with sideways movement, but the position of the pulley doesn't change. I'm expecting some kind of spring to release.

When I tighten the bolt, there is less movement in the pulley, but the position doesn't change.

Pretty sure I'm not doing this right

the tentioner should move with the same direction as tighting it, if the tentioner is old, or seized it wont move, the bolt will snap.

 

[t0bytoo]

I think the tensioner must be seized. Thanks very much for your help.

 

[OneLever]

Hard to tell from the above posts but you might be doing it wrong. A quick search of "tensioner pulley" brought up this thread which might help you.

 

[t0bytoo]

Have seen that thread. The only nut I have found (can see) to turn is on the tensioner pulley itself.

This is the diagram of my belt routing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14198698@N00/5183417720/in/set-72157625405127246/

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

 

[OneLever]

My mistake, that thread shows a tensioner on a 4.0L SOHC and you have a 5.0L V8. I'm not home right now so someone else will have to chime in.

 

[t0bytoo]

I just went and loosened and tightened the bolt. It feels like there 'might' be a little movement in the tensioner, but am probably imagining it.

A little background to this: I'm in Mexico and was pretty far from anywhere when the A/C compressor seized and the belt snapped.

I left the vehicle and did some research on these forums that pointed to using a 835k6 belt to bypass the A/C. All I could get hold of was a 832k6 and 849k6. The numbers are round the other way here, so it's more like a k060849.

Anyways, went back to the jungle with a friend and we got the 849 on. It was not easy, but, hey, I was back on the road. Got the car home and the belt was squealing like crazy for about 30 seconds after starting. Way too tight.

Last night I tried an 856 belt. It went on comfortably but the P/S and alternator slipped, so too loose. After watching a few videos and reading loads of posts I realised that I needed to do slack off the tensioner. Which got me asking questions on this thread.

I'm in a small town with not many auto parts stores. I'm gonna go out this morning and see if I can find an 851/2/3 to get me back on the road.

If that works out, I figure I'll take it to a mechanic in the city and get a new tensioner and the correct size belt. Maybe have someone do the whole A/C job also. But at this point I just want to get back on the road.

Thanks

 

[Joe Dirt]

tObytoo-

The bolt you should be turning to release tension to remove the serpentine belt is in the middle of the tensioner. But- that only holds the tensioner assembly/pulley to the tensioner bracket.

If you're wanting to remove the entire tensioner assembly from the truck, there are two bolts holding it to the engine on the left upper and lower edges, as you look from the front of the engine.