'98 V70 Serpentine Belt Tensioner Rattle

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Sep 2020, 11:41

4 or 5 bad spring tensioners does not sound right at all. So far I've replaced only the bearing part of the serp tensioners on some of my p80 cars, and non of them are noisy. So I doubt you have four bad ones but of course it is possible.

Maybe we should torque wrench measure a bunch of them, noisy and not! But what kind of adapter to fit in there? Quarters (lol)???? Measure the ft-lbs it first moves without clicking, or just measure the tension after movement if you have an old school torque wrench with gauge on it, though I suspect those tend to be less accurate. I may have to break that wrench back out.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 24 Sep 2020, 12:52

3/4" torque wrench would be ideal, though I personally do not possess one.

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Sep 2020, 19:52

1/2 to 3/4 adapters are cheap and easy to get, but I don't think 3/4 works does it?

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 24 Sep 2020, 20:16

erikv11 wrote: 24 Sep 2020, 19:52 1/2 to 3/4 adapters are cheap and easy to get, but I don't think 3/4 works does it?

I ended up replacing the tensioner on this car with a new INA one, and still thought it had a little too much movement.

You could use a 1/2" torque wrench with a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter, but the tensioner would need to be out of the car and in a vise or something. No clearance in the car to do it that way.

erikv11 wrote: 24 Sep 2020, 19:52 1/2 to 3/4 adapters are cheap and easy to get, but I don't think 3/4 works does it?

It does, but I've noticed on Meyle tensioners it's a little tight and you may need to file it out a little bit. Fits just fine on INA tensioners.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 25 Sep 2020, 01:52

Its a 19mm square hole in the tensioner, if I remember correctly, so you wont get much closer than 3/4". As above, with an adaptor you cant get the clearance.

Another potential option might be a crows foot spanner on top of whatever adapter one uses to fill the 19mm hole. Of course any play in that adaptor will throw the results off. Clearance may again prove tricky though, and I also lack any crowd foot spanners.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 25 Sep 2020, 08:43

What I always do to release -'98 tensioners is use my 1/2" to 3/4" adapter with a 19mm wrench on the 3/4" portion. The key is to only seat it far enough into the tensioner to engage it, and leave space to grab onto it with the wrench.
A 19mm crowfoot could do the job of checking torque if clearance allows.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Sep 2020, 11:19

bmdubya1198 wrote: 25 Sep 2020, 08:43 What I always do to release -'98 tensioners is use my 1/2" to 3/4" adapter with a 19mm wrench on the 3/4" portion. The key is to only seat it far enough into the tensioner to engage it, and leave space to grab onto it with the wrench.
A 19mm crowfoot could do the job of checking torque if clearance allows.

You took a grEat picture of this for clarity Earlier.

A 5 cent per use Royalty Is payable to Bdub or you can donate directly to the “Save the Miatas Fund”

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 25 Sep 2020, 11:56

abscate wrote: 25 Sep 2020, 11:19
You took a grEat picture of this for clarity Earlier.

A 5 cent per use Royalty Is payable to Bdub or you can donate directly to the “Save the Miatas Fund”**

I remember posting about it, just not what thread it's in. I think it was specifically about a tool for that.

**No tax deductions on donations.

Post by **800artfreed** » 25 Sep 2020, 16:21

I use a 3/4" square galvanized pipe plug procured at Home Depot, etc. The thread diameter is probably 1". I grab the threads with a vise grip pliers. Insert the square end into the tensioner,rotate to release tension. Use an Allen key or other small gauge rod to lock the tensioner in the released position.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Sep 2020, 19:23

bmdubya1198 wrote: 25 Sep 2020, 08:43 What I always do to release -'98 tensioners is use my 1/2" to 3/4" adapter with a 19mm wrench on the 3/4" portion. The key is to only seat it far enough into the tensioner to engage it, and leave space to grab onto it with the wrench.
A 19mm crowfoot could do the job of checking torque if clearance allows.