Topic: Drive belt tension tester

[chrisfranklin]

Have a new alternator and drive belt I want to get in.   Personally, wanted to get the tension right on the new drive belt and not take chances that I've overdone it and am maybe harming the bearings on anything running off the belt.  Do you guys recommend or have used a brand of belt tension tester that worked?  Do you even use one if/when you're changing a belt? 

[Dylan]

I've never owned nor used a belt tension tester, firm thumb pressure in the middle of the long run of the belt should deflect it about 1/2-3/4".  This method has worked for serpentines and v-belts, never ran hot or had accessory bearings wear out on me.

[Jeffy]

1" deflection on the widest gap between two pulleys is a good rule of thumb.  If it squeaks then tighten it till it stops.

Otherwise you'll have to rent/buy a tension gauge which no one really uses.

[chrisfranklin]

I ordered one of these Krikit jobs mostly because it was rated 100-300 lbs http://www.amazon.com/Gates-91132-Belt-Tension-Tester/dp/B000CRDLZM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1309484716&sr=8-2.  Not sure if the people who didn't like it on Amazon knew how to use it correctly or what.