Smooth or ribbed belt tensioner?

[davidk]

My belt tensioner spring is wearing out - time for a new assembly. My OEM pulley is smooth. The ones I see online have ribbed pulleys. Does it make any difference what I get? Thanks!

David

 

[08EddieCA]

Tensioner pulley is ribbed on my 08. Check Rockauto.com as a great reference.

 

[Maniak]

My belt tensioner spring is wearing out - time for a new assembly. My OEM pulley is smooth. The ones I see online have ribbed pulleys. Does it make any difference what I get? Thanks!

David

I'm assuming you are asking for a 1993 Explorer.... the issue is... 1993 is when they changed from a top mounted tensioner (by the thermostat) to a lower mounted tensioners (under the alternator).

Soo... It sounds like you have a top mounted one since it's smooth... and smooth means it runs on the back on the belt... The ribbed runs on the inside of the belt and that tensioner is under the alternator...

Here's some from amazon that'll for for the smooth pulley, top mounted tensioner

Gates 38134 - $48
Hayden 5866 - $9 (yes, < $9 only 1 left)..

~Mark

 

[larrydd999]

Interesting... My '92 XLT and '94 Limited have smooth tensioners, and my '94 has the extra odometer digit so it's one of the later '94's. (I also have a '94 'parts car' without the extra odometer digit.)

 

[Turdle]

Tensioner or idler?

 

[davidk]

I'm assuming you are asking for a 1993 Explorer.... the issue is... 1993 is when they changed from a top mounted tensioner (by the thermostat) to a lower mounted tensioners (under the alternator).

Soo... It sounds like you have a top mounted one since it's smooth... and smooth means it runs on the back on the belt... The ribbed runs on the inside of the belt and that tensioner is under the alternator...

Here's some from amazon that'll for for the smooth pulley, top mounted tensioner

Gates 38134 - $48
Hayden 5866 - $9 (yes, < $9 only 1 left)..

~Mark

THANKS!! And yes, it is for my high mileage 5 speed 93 (oops for not mentioning that).