Belt Tensioner

[Dave in Mpls]

OK - Went to change the belt on the '02 'Burb the other day. No problem....right? WRONG!!!

 

I used a 15MM socket on a long ratchet from the drivers side on the tensioner to release the tension and removed the belt from the alternator pulley. The problem I ran into was when I went to release the tensioner, there was still tension on the spring all the way up to where the ratchet hit the plastic air intake tube. At this point, I couldn't get the ratchet off the tesioner (still under tension), thus I couldn't get the belt off the tensioner pulley. I finally ended up sneaking one end of belt all the way down and off the ratchet (not enough clearance between the ratchet head and fan to get the other side of the belt through), putting it through a fan blade, and turning the fan by hand toward the passenger side to remove it (kind of a trick, I might add!).

 

I suppose I could have used a 15MM wrench, but I think I still would have run out of top clearance before the tensioner ran out of travel. At least with a wrench I could have gotten the belt off the end of the wrench and then between the tensioner pulley.

 

Surely there is an easier way to do this!!!

[Koinz]

Don't you hate when that happens. I recently changed my belt on my 01 Sierra 5.3L and used a socket from the passenger fender side.

 

Once you slip the belt off the pulley, release the tensioner, then take the socket off. The belt will get still be on the tensioner bracket. At that point, the belt just falls off.

 

I also replaced my AC Belt, but that was best down from under the truck after removing the plastic shroud.

 

I figured I grease the tensioner bearings too. Someone here figured out that you can remove the black rubber covers to pack more grease in them.

 

I couldn't get the AC Tensioner off though.

[Frank Sub]

Hi Koinz--I believe the "black rubber cover" you mention is the bearing seal. An easy way to relube the bearing is to use a hypodermic needle with some light machine oil, and relube thru the seal, or under the seal lip. Don't use too much oil. Grease is just a soap holding oil. Over time the oil runs out, but the soap remains. A little oil will give it new life.--Frank Sub

[pm26]

You are not alone, the same thing happened to me, except I was using a box end wrench. I ended up wedging a wood block between the plastic tube and tthe tensioner to be able to remove and reposition the wrench.

 

The trick is (and you learn it the hard way) to position the wrench or ratchet a certain way on the tensioner, or you remove the said plastic tube before you do anything. Live and learn. I did not damage anything, except bruised my knuckles a little.

[rdraidr]

There are just some things we get to do, eventually. This is a great finger smasher if your not careful. It's just part of playing the game - smile, it makes the effort go by faster and know that you have friends out there who have all done the same thing.