How To Align Pulleys On Serpentine Belt

The zigzag belt made its debut on the 1979 Ford Mustang with an automatic belt tensioner assembly. Although we have seen great improvements in the construction and life of the belt with EPDM rubber, the design of the spring-loaded automatic belt tensioner has remained unchanged.Read: how to align pulleys on zigzag belts These are often related to incorrect belt tension and misalignment. However, simply changing the belt rarely solves the problem. The best way to prevent “faulty” belt returns and complaints is to replace the tensioner assembly and associated pulleys, and a thorough inspection of other belt drive components is recommended. Read more: How to text on ashley madison without having to pay a belt fee may start to crack with age. A squeal from a newly replaced belt usually indicates a larger problem: Inappropriate tension. The automatic belt tensioner is designed to provide constant tension for the life of the belt. The heat and repetitive movement of the tensioner’s internal spring can lead to fatigue and loss of tension. Loss of lubricating oil, as well as external contaminants inside the tensioner housing, can cause bonding and limit the full stroke of the tension arm. These can reduce tensioner efficiency by providing too little (or too much) tension. Belts that are too tight rarely squeak, but can cause other problems. The squeal is primarily due to slippage and is the most noticeable symptom of low belt tension. The belt tensioner not only provides proper tension but also absorbs shocks and vibrations from the rest of the drivetrain. A damper inside the tensioner housing reduces movement of the tension arm, while absorbing vibrations and reducing noise. Excessive swinging of the tension lever is a symptom of damper failure and spring fatigue. It could also be a sign of component failure elsewhere in the accessory drivetrain.Read more: How to watch porn on tv Or, it can be the result of improper belt installation. There are two types of shaft misalignment, each caused by the relationship of the pulleys to each other.

Angle Alignment

This happens when the pulleys become “tilted” because their axes are not parallel. Worn bushings and bearings can allow spindles to get stuck in their bore. Premature wear of bearings and bushings is often caused by over-tensioning of the belt. Installing shorter belts than original, or attempting to bypass a component such as the A/C compressor, can alter the amount of tension. This can reduce the life of the belt and speed up the wear of other components. Likewise, replacing larger pulleys can have the same effect, as well as reduce the power of the alternator and booster pump. Angle deflection can also originate from the tensioner itself as the inner shaft bushing wears out and the tensioner arm begins to tilt. This can also cause binding between the shell and the arm, leading to tension problems.

Parallel deviation

When a pulley is “out of plane” with other pulleys in the drivetrain, parallel misalignment occurs. While all pulleys may be running properly, one or more of them may be sitting too far forward or backward on its axle. A common cause of parallel misalignment is incorrect installation depth of the pulleys that match the press, like those found on power steering pumps. A worn harmonic equalizer outer ring can start to “go” away from its center, causing a similar misalignment. In either type of misalignment, the belt will follow an angle of inclination, resulting in increased wear at the flanks and edges of the belt. The extra friction also increases the belt’s operating temperature. This can significantly reduce belt performance and life. An angle of at least three degrees can cause an annoying squeal as well as increase the likelihood of belt jumping. Insufficient belt tension increases the likelihood of belt loss. Diagnosing longer beats can be difficult. Some deviations may not be obvious to the naked eye. Using a laser alignment tool or straightener can be helpful in finding these slight variations. Read more: