My friend has a 02 GT. I'm new to the 4.6's. But i have a 92 5.0 myself. The tensioner is moving back and forth, to the left and right. Is that common on these cars? I tightened down the bolt. It was snugged up real good.
Is it more like a pulse? It's somewhat normal for the tensioner to move. The belt is rubber after all and it stretches and retracts like a rubber belt should. This varies the belt lenght slightly and makes the tensioner move a little.
Last time i looked under my hood, i beleive my tensioner wiggled around quite a bit. I'll look again tomorrow
The tensioner on my 2002 GT sometimes moves back & forth. It's an intermittent thing that I've noticed. It has improved since installing Steeda pullies. Prior to replacing the pullies, the serpentine belt would actually run against the timing cove under heavy throttle. A new belt may remedy the problem.
I'm a 5.0 guy but willing to take a stab at this. This may sound like a stupid question. And you prob know better. But did you tighten it before slipping the belt on, or while the belt was on? Tighten it before putting the belt back on.
About every car I have the pleasure of working-on does it too.
As everyone said, movement in the transverse plane (same plane as the tensioner pulley moves when you put a breaker on the pulley to remove the belt) is not uncommon. Longitudinal slop would be
You can remove the belt and spin accessories by hand to ensure nothing is obviously binding (as AIR pumps can do on 5.0's). Before reinstalling the belt, move real slow through the 'normal' range on the tensioner with your breaker and make sure the tension is pretty stable (no weak spots).