Belt tensioner tool: for those who have manual tensioner

[Boinked]

So i was watching a few YouTube videos. Mostly on diagnostic tests and troubleshooting. Not jeep specific videos. I find them interesting. Then a ran across a video of a guy using a belt tension tester. Thankfully he linked the tool in the description. Now for the question. Does anyone have one of have you ever seen one. Im wondering if it would be better to just pay a few bucks to make sure the belt is properly tightened.

Dayco 93866 ACCESSORIES NET https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EP2QH4/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Goatman]

Does the new belt squeal? Is the battery charging? A/C chatter when you turn it on? Belt is tensioned.

 

[Boinked]

I have been fighting squealing belts for a while. I can never seem to get it just right. I either get it too tight and blow up a pulley or it squeaks. I figured for the cost it would not be that bad to test.

I just ordered one. Ill post my thoughts on it when it arrives. I just didn't know that they even existed. And also was curious if anyone had ever seen or used one.

 

[tworley]

I believe the rule of thumb is you can depress the belt by 1", you're good. If you cant then it is to tight. Greater than 1" and it is too loose.

 

[GASnBRASS]

I believe the rule of thumb is you can depress the belt by 1", you're good. If you cant then it is to tight. Greater than 1" and it is too loose.

That would also depend on how far apart the pulleys are. The allowable deflection spanning 12" is alot different than a span of 6".

 

[Boinked]

I believe the rule of thumb is you can depress the belt by 1", you're good. If you cant then it is to tight. Greater than 1" and it is too loose.

Unfortunately that is where I run into problems. I have heard 1/2", 1" 3/4".
I guess I will find out how much defection it has after i set it to 140-160 lbs. (Used belt). Hopefully it will be here today and it isn't raining.

I just feel like i have to try something different. But one thing that I do find funny. Alot of videos on jeeps with manual tensioners have squealing when running.

 

[tworley]

I dont know what mine is lbs-wise. I just snugged it up good'n'tight and it doesnt squeal. If you have replaced numerous belts and pulleys you must have another issue. What is the water pump condition? Which size idler pulley did you put on (there are two different sizes)

 

[Boinked]

I dont know what mine is lbs-wise. I just snugged it up good'n'tight and it doesnt squeal. If you have replaced numerous belts and pulleys you must have another issue. What is the water pump condition? Which size idler pulley did you put on (there are two different sizes)

Water pump was replaced 3 or so weeks ago. To be honest im not sure what size the tensioner pulley is. It has been replaced twice in 6 months. Been through 3 different brands of belts.

I can't remember having this many issues on the older v belts. If this tool doesn't work im going to get a lazer and verify that the pulleys are perfectly aligned

 

[tworley]

If this tool doesn't work im going to get a lazer and verify that the pulleys are perfectly aligned

That was going to be my next suggestion.

As to pulleys, there are two different sizes. 90mm and I believe 76mm. Cant remember which one I used, but I can measure the old one when I get home tonight. And just to cover everything...is it routed correctly?

 

[Boinked]

That was going to be my next suggestion.

As to pulleys, there are two different sizes. 90mm and I believe 76mm. Cant remember which one I used, but I can measure the old one when I get home tonight. And just to cover everything...is it routed correctly?
View attachment 117378

I just ran out with my calipers. The tensioner is 90. The idler is 76(ish).

 

[Boinked]

So...... my idea of tight and the gauges idea are very far apart. I had less that 100lbs on the belt. The lowest the gauge reads is 100. After at least 9 full turns i got it at 140.

I checked it in 3 different places. I now have a few new scraps on my arm but i wanted to check the gauge to see if it reads the same with a different spacing between pullys. It read exactly the same.

Took it for a quick drive around the block and not a single squeak or squeal.

Its far from a must have. But it sure is a nice addition to the tool boxes.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I use one. Too late for you, but Napa sells one that looks identical except for the color for about half the price. Note that old school v belts have different tension requirements and use a different tool.

 

[wraith1516]

you should see how i have to CORRECTLY tension the timing belts on my ducati with a $300+ harmonic tensioner, tighten ,twang belt tool reads vibrations of belt

 

[Rollin20z]

Haven't had anything where you have to manually tension a belt in a long time until this Jeep, usually just pop the 1/2" breaker bar in tensioner pulley slide belt on and release done !! Until the past few months with this. Few times I have had to take belt loose, it's pretty much slip belt back on, throw 15mm(iirc) socket on extension, snug belt up pretty good, start Jeep(yes it usually squeals like a banshee) continue tightening belt with ratchet,ext,15mm while Jeep is running until it quiets right down and give it maybe a extra 1/2-1 turn on adj screw. Done. Turn it off,check belt by hand(why? have no idea just have always done it) cause usually if it feels tight enough it squeals. I guess just that extra lil bit is needed to make you feel wrong. Just my method and has always seemed to work good for me and don't have any squeals and never any problems with any pulley bearings from an over tightened belt.

 

[Goatman]

I heard about that Ducati system. It's like a tuning fork way. The belt vibrates at a certain frequency when at proper tension. Some companies seem to go way out of their way to make their products seem "exclusive" by making them damn near impossible to work on yourself. (Said with a great deal of envy!)