I don't know if its because I have never seen this before, or because I'm dazed for taking the "heel-toe express" twice this week, but my car ate two belt tensioners this week and I HAVE NO CLUE WHY. The first one was the original tensioner on the car that I pirated it for my serp setup swap (done several months ago) and it just snapped in half. So while I had a new one on order, I borrowed a friends while I was workin on his tranny, and today, it too snapped in half.

None of the pullies are siezed or even noisy, all in line, and yet they both broke in exactly the same place.

Any ideas?

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81

 

Bernard, the only differance between your serpentine setup and mine is I am running the braces on each side. One from the rear of the A/C to the 4th exhaust bolt passenger side. The other from the rear of the alt itself to the 1st exhaust bolt drivers side.

Did you check and see if the main brackets were loose? Remember mine had bolts loose and one had come totally out.

Also that missing runner bolt might be causing all the problems. j/k

------------------
86 Camaro Sport
LT1 Induction
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Raptor 700R4 Tranmission, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Hooker Cat-back, Serpentine Belt Setup, Dual IROC Fans, Jamex springs, 16" IROC Rims, 36mm/24mm Sway Bars, Global West Steering Brace. Hotchkis Rear LCA's,Panhard Bar and SFC's.
My Camaro Project
Moderator at SE ThirdGen

 

I have the bracket on the ALT side, and I know lots of people who DO NOT have the A/C support and don't have these problems. I went several months w/ no problem, now suddenly twice in a week. I don't see how the main bracket being loose would cause them to break, but I'm pulling straws anyway, it sure won't hurt to check.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81

 

I had to replace the tensioner on my camaro, it seems to me the salesperson told me it was made of plastic and that's why it broke so easily.

 

Is this a Georgia only post or what?

 

Maybe it is just shear coincidence.
Seems kinda strange.

Mike

------------------
Check out My Car Pics http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...667&a=13599419

Gran Turismo Americano "The Ultimate Firebird"
Smokin 1989 GTA- Bone stock except for exhaust. (no catalytic-stainless pipe into Flowmaster 2 chamber) & AC Delco Rapid Fire Plugs

 

can you weld a belt tensioner if it breaks? i have one that is broken in half that i'd like to fix if possible. it looks like aluminum.

 

Unless it's free, otherwise it would be cheaper to replace. Besides it's not a very good quality aluminum, sort of a cast/pot metal type.


------------------
86 Camaro Sport
LT1 Induction
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Raptor 700R4 Tranmission, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Hooker Cat-back, Serpentine Belt Setup, Dual IROC Fans, Jamex springs, 16" IROC Rims, 36mm/24mm Sway Bars, Global West Steering Brace. Hotchkis Rear LCA's,Panhard Bar and SFC's.
My Camaro Project
Moderator at SE ThirdGen