Tensioning Drive Belts

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
BTW, IMO, those gauges are worthless.


So, you don't think that they are accurate or simply not needed? Would it not be pretty repeateable & reliable though?

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
My old boss I worked for at a courier service had the belts so tight, all the accessory bearings screamed like a scolded cat when the engine was cold. I checked the belts one day and you could hardly even move them!


Yep it is a fine line between too tight and too loose.

 

[Junior]

I wouldn't say it's a fine line between too tight and too loose. It just difficult to find just enough tension to carry the load while not slipping by hand.

 

[benjamming]

What is the country of origin for Goodyear 91107 & 91132 belt tensioner testers?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
Mr. Critic,
Sounds like a good excuse stroke your snap-on fetish. you "need" a belt tension gauge!

Nah, I'm not going to invest money for a tool that I will only use once.

 

[SubLGT]

Here is what Dayco has to say on belt tensioning:
belt tension

Take a look at the video linked on that page, for instructions on using the Krikit gauge. With the Krikit, they measured 140 lb on a lab belt, and then used an electronic gauge, which measured 138 lb.

They also say that the "calibrated thumb" method will under tighten a belt by 20-50 lb.

 

[sentra]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
Here is what Dayco has to say on belt tensioning:
belt tension

Take a look at the video linked on that page, for instructions on using the Krikit gauge. With the Krikit, they measured 140 lb on a lab belt, and then used an electronic gauge, which measured 138 lb.

They also say that the "calibrated thumb" method will under tighten a belt by 20-50 lb.


If someone under-tightens the belt by 50lb, then he/she isn't even using the "calibrated thumb" method correctly, so that doesn't count as the deficiecny of the method itself, and a reason to buy the tool being pushed. The problem lies with the thumb used or the person's senses.

 

[sentra]

I would venture to guess that the under tightening would be noticable much before 50 lbs. I suspect that the belt may even fall off at 50 lbs. Any thoughts?

 

[sentra]

Edit: the belt tension in the video was 140 lbs. Noticing the amount of deflection in it at 140 lbs, if one were to under-tighetn it by, say, 30 lbs, i think that the looseness would be very noticable.

 

[CBR.worm]

Long serpentine belts need to be tighter than my common sense would suggest. I always need to go back and tighten them.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I have about an even dozen serpentine setups out there right now.

Not a one is adjustable in any way. All automatically tensioned.