How does a tensioner pulley loosen a serpentine belt?
Loosening the tensioner pulley is accomplished by pulling it in a direction that gives slack to the serpentine belt. This action enables the belt to be removed and for replacement or repair of motor parts. Most tensioner pulleys require a standard ratchet for loosening. Find the serpentine belt information sticker on the vehicle.
What do you need to replace a serpentine belt?
To replace one of the parts connected to the serpentine belt, the belt tensioner pulley has to be loosened and the belt removed. Loosening the tensioner pulley is accomplished by pulling it in a direction that gives slack to the serpentine belt.
When do you remove the lock on a tensioner pulley?
Remove the lock only after the tensioner, pulley, or slipper, and timing belt or timing chain are installed and aligned. The next time you work with a drive belt, timing belt, or timing chain, you’ll likely have to loosen a tensioner pulley to remove it.
How do you loosen a belt tensioner on a car?
Also, some vehicles require a star-shaped Torx bit to loosen the belt tensioner. While the pulley is being pulled forward, slide the serpentine belt off of any pulley it is connected to. Release the pressure from the belt tensioner pulley by removing the tool. Inspect the pulley and belt while they are apart.
How do you remove tension from a serpentine belt?
Note: It is a very heavy spring tension, and pivoting the tensioner is often not possible with a short handled tool. Hold the tension from the belt, and slip the belt off the auto tensioner pulley to remove the belt and pulley system. Slowly release the tension to avoid damage or injury, and then remove the tool from the belt auto tensioner.
When do you need to loosen a tensioner pulley?
Sometimes, maintenance or repair will require tightening or loosening a tensioner pulley. Replacing a drive belt or timing belt, for example, would require you to loosen a tensioner pulley to make room for the new belt, as the new belt is smaller than the worn drive belt.
How does a belt tensioner work on a belt?
Locate the belt tensioner per belt routing diagram. The automatic tensioner is a pulley on a pivoting bracket. To relieve the tension, a tool is inserted onto the pulley or a square drive is provided to insert a tool or ratchet. Apply the correct tool the tensioner calls for, and turn the tool counterclockwise to loosen the tension.
How do you change the belt tensioner on a Ford Ranger?
Put the belt tensioner tool into the tensioner and lever it back to release the pressure from the serpentine belt. Slide the belt off the tensioner pulley with your free hand. Remove the tensioner tool and set it aside. Use the socket set to remove the bolt or bolts holding the tensioner body to the front of the engine.