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Question - Loosen your Belt Tensioner?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 32V_SVT
  • Start date Start date Mar 11, 2004
3

32V_SVT

New Member
Feb 17, 2003
5
0
0
Redondo Beach CA.
Mar 11, 2004
#1
  • Mar 11, 2004
  • #1
Hey everyone, I have a 99 Cobra... I'm hearing noise from the Alternator, and am anticipating I'll have to change it out in the near future... Only problem is I can't figure out how to loosen the tensioner on the serpentine belt... I'm used to the old 5.0 setup where you can use a prybar through a tensioner loop to release the tension, and pull off the belt... The set up on the 32 valve modular motors are different... Can anyone offer a sure fire way to accomplish this correctly?

Thanks!

-G
 

daver01

Founding Member
Oct 4, 2002
396
0
0
Lexington, Ky
Mar 11, 2004
#2
  • Mar 11, 2004
  • #2
don't know if its same on cobra, but just put 3/8 ratchet in square hole & pull towards driver's side on my gt.
 
3

32V_SVT

New Member
Feb 17, 2003
5
0
0
Redondo Beach CA.
Mar 11, 2004
#3
  • Mar 11, 2004
  • #3
daver01 said:
don't know if its same on cobra, but just put 3/8 ratchet in square hole & pull towards driver's side on my gt.
Click to expand...


Right on man!!! When I get home, I'll give it a try!

Thanks!
 
3

32V_SVT

New Member
Feb 17, 2003
5
0
0
Redondo Beach CA.
Mar 12, 2004
#4
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #4
Well it turns out that my tensioner is different from yours... There was no 3/8 square hole in the tensioner to fit a ratchet... However, there was a Torx bolt that holds on the tensioner pulley... So with the use of a Torx Bit on the end of a breaker bar, I managed to put this into the center of the pulley's bolt, and haul the tensioner over towards the drivers side of the engine bay... This released the tension, and I was able to get the belt off!!!

Thanks for the helpful advice!!!

Sincerely,

-G
 
I

Isaac-1

Founding Member
Sep 8, 2001
824
1
16
SW Louisiana
Mar 12, 2004
#5
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #5
Ford aparently changed the tensioner design on the GT's at some point, I don't know about the Cobra's. IN the case of my '99 GT there is a small cover plate that must be removed to get to the 1/2 inch socket that a wrench goes in. I have seen 00+ models that don't have this plate, I don't know about other '99's though.

Ike
 
3

32V_SVT

New Member
Feb 17, 2003
5
0
0
Redondo Beach CA.
Mar 12, 2004
#6
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #6
Hmmm.... Interesting... The plate you're talking about must be held on by that square 3/8 hole? I looked again at my tensioner... It kinda looks like there may be a plate on it as well... I'll try to pry it off and see what's under there...

-G
 

MT1083

New Member
Sep 16, 2003
1,033
0
0
Charlotte, NC
Mar 12, 2004
#7
  • Mar 12, 2004
  • #7
I have the square 3/8" hole. Why does Ford do that kind of crap? I usually just put a breaker bar in there and then it will release the tension. Really simple...on mine anyway.
 
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