Is my belt too tight? See pic

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12-17-2002, 09:28 PM

BlackCat

RIP '98 Maxima SE

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Is my belt too tight? See pic

After reading that the tensioner pulley should be tightened AFTER the tensioner nut has been adjusted I shot this pic after readjusting it to see if everyone else's angle is similar.

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...57_15_full.jpg

Hopefully this will get rid of my annoying slipping belt noise.

12-17-2002, 11:02 PM

Chunger

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I've never done the deflection test that way...
I always twisted it until it is about 90 degrees (ALONG the length)

12-18-2002, 08:04 AM

BlackCat

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Well, after I shot that pic I put everything back together and this morning I didn't get one squeal out of the belt. Turning on the heater fan also didn't squeal so that means I finally got it right.
So there you go, boys and girls...loosen the tensioner pulley first before adjusting the belt tensioner.

12-18-2002, 08:26 AM

JAY25

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Quote:

Originally posted by BlackCat
Well, after I shot that pic I put everything back together and this morning I didn't get one squeal out of the belt. Turning on the heater fan also didn't squeal so that means I finally got it right.
So there you go, boys and girls...loosen the tensioner pulley first before adjusting the belt tensioner.

when you rev up your RPMS past 5900 if you dont hear a squeal your good.

12-18-2002, 09:20 AM

BlackCat

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Quote:

Originally posted by JAY25

when you rev up your RPMS past 5900 if you dont hear a squeal your good.

I'll have to try that tonight!

12-18-2002, 03:45 PM

BigDogJonx

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Quote:

Originally posted by BlackCat
loosen the tensioner pulley first before adjusting the belt tensioner.

Yeap. I found out that as well the hard way.

12-18-2002, 04:01 PM

BlackCat

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Quote:

Originally posted by BigDogJonx

Yeap. I found out that as well the hard way.

The more that I think about it I think that may have contributed to my early blower bearing failure. I never thought to loosen the tensioner pulley every time I tightened the belt tensioner.

12-20-2002, 05:41 PM

maxxboost00

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What do u mean loosen the tensioner pulley first? So, first, tighten the tensioner and then tighten the pulley afterwards?

~AC

12-20-2002, 06:46 PM

Chunger

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Quote:

Originally posted by maxxboost00
What do u mean loosen the tensioner pulley first? So, first, tighten the tensioner and then tighten the pulley afterwards?

~AC

The bolt/stud that goes through the pulley has a "LOCK" nut. It must be loosened BEFORE attempting to "ADJUST" the tension, which is a separate part. If you don't and you force it, you will have to buy a new assembly.

12-25-2002, 09:10 PM

#10

BlackCat

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Dang! Still fiddling with the belt tension. The car while in park sounds ok but while at the light I get that stupid ratchety vibration.
So you test the belt by twisting it lengthwise to no more than 90 degrees?
I was using that belt dressing but that just makes the belt really tacky to the touch.

12-26-2002, 09:16 PM

#11

BlackCat

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Well, after fiddling with the tension I think I got it just right. Too tight and the blower bearings start to rattle in protest. Too loose and the belt will slip and squeal and the belt will vibrate like a rubber band between the 3.33" pulley and the tensioner pulley. I had to do trial and error adjustments and road tests to find that right balance. I wound up very close to the original tension I had in my pic.