What are the steps of belt tension and drive alignment?
What are the steps of belt tension and drive alignment?
Good drive maintenance involves a number of steps, roughly half of which involve aligning the drive. These are, in order: Removing old belts, inspecting all components for wear and damage, checking for bent shafts and correcting sheave runout, installing new belts, performing the alignment, and tensioning the belts.
Where to inspect a serpentine belt system wear?
Where to Inspect a Serpentine Belt Always inspect the belt along the longest run and around an idler pulley that makes contact with the smooth side of the belt. The ribs of the belt are elongated in this position and any rib cracks are magnified. If rib cracks are detected, you should probably remove the belt for further inspection.
How do you tighten a serpentine belt on a car?
If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt. Tighten the bolts again as you apply tension.
How long does it take to alignment a belt?
It took 30 minutes to identify the angular alignment and horizontal alignment problem. Shimmed the large 3 foot casting holding the alternator to correct the angular problem, and then a spacer behind the alternator pulley solved the horizontal problem. All parts used were manufactures replacement.
Can a serpentine belt be replaced by a timing belt?
For example, select older rides may have a series of V belts in place of the serpentine belt. Some cars also have a timing belt to drive water pumps and oil pumps to the engine and other important parts. Can Sun Auto Service Replace My Serpentine Belt?
How do you replace a serpentine belt pulley?
Many have a ½” square cast into the tensioner arm, in which you insert a ½” breaker bar, or Belt Tensioner Tool to relieve the tension. Many others, you use a socket on the pulley itself to do this. Use a ratchet or breaker bar that fits into the bolt and release the tensioner.
How is the tension set on a serpentine belt?
Depending on the application, your serpentine belt will either have tension placed on it using a movable bracket or an auto tensioner pulley. This pulley uses an internal spring to apply consistent pressure to the belt at all times. If your vehicle does not have a tensioner pulley, the alternator bracket is likely how tension is set on the belt.
What to do about misalignment on serpentine belt?
Misalignment (and the resulting noise) is most pronounced on short spans between pulleys. Diagnosis of longer spans can be difficult. A few degrees of offset may not be obvious to the naked eye. The use of a laser alignment tool or straightedge can be helpful in finding these little variations.
Is the gates serpentine belt alignment tool good?
All of that said, after it was properly calibrated, the tool worked as flawlessly AS IT SHOULD HAVE RIGHT OUT OF THE DAMN BOX. The laser mount itself is well machined and effective as well you’d expect it should be. It’s a tool that is functional and effective, but Gates’s (or Midway Auto Supply’s) quality control leaves a LOT to be desired.
