Is the tensioner for the serpentine belt supposed to move a lot? ---

[alwayscode390]

I noticed while my engine was idling today I could hear the tensioner bearings ... they didn't sound horrible but it made me look for the tensioner.

When I found it , it was moving side to side quite a bit trying to keep the serpentine belt tight?

I popped the hood initially because the belt was slightly squeaking ... but it was humid from a storm lastnight.

Is this normal or should I be looking for a replacement tensioner? If so , who do you recommend I buy it from?

Thanks ! :) ---

[Marc Haibeck]

The accessory belt tensioner on the LT5 normally jumps around quite bit. This is usually caused by the belt. The tensioner arm load is 12.5 ft. lbs. at full swing. Measure it with a torque wrench in the square service hole. It's much less than most other cars.

Look for plastic strips emerging from the tensioner pivot area. That's a common failure mode. The pulley is readily available, Dayco 89003.

Best of luck.

[GOLDCYLON]

I noticed while my engine was idling today I could hear the tensioner bearings ... they didn't sound horrible but it made me look for the tensioner.

When I found it , it was moving side to side quite a bit trying to keep the serpentine belt tight?

I popped the hood initially because the belt was slightly squeaking ... but it was humid from a storm lastnight.

Is this normal or should I be looking for a replacement tensioner? If so , who do you recommend I buy it from?

Thanks ! :) ---


Start looking. The pulley are available however the idler arm are NLA. GC

[alwayscode390]

Thanks guys ---

[scottfab]

Thanks guys ---

I was looking the other day.
Rockauto shows 6 different models available ranging from $6 - $18.
These are pulley only parts.

[alwayscode390]

What part usually breaks though, sounds like the actual tensioner at the pivot area?

Is the Pulley what has the bearings ... so if it gets loud its time to replace the pulley itself? I looked at pics of the pulley , and it looks like the center of it has sealed bearings (unless I was looking at a generic pic , not an actual pic).

Thanks :) ---

[GOLDCYLON]

What part usually breaks though, sounds like the actual tensioner at the pivot area?

Is the Pulley what has the bearings ... so if it gets loud its time to replace the pulley itself? I looked at pics of the pulley , and it looks like the center of it has sealed bearings (unless I was looking at a generic pic , not an actual pic).

Thanks :) ---


The pully has the bearings

[scottfab]

What part usually breaks though, sounds like the actual tensioner at the pivot area?

Is the Pulley what has the bearings ... so if it gets loud its time to replace the pulley itself? I looked at pics of the pulley , and it looks like the center of it has sealed bearings (unless I was looking at a generic pic , not an actual pic).

Thanks :) ---

I've had movement like that where it turned out to be just the belt.
But then I've had movement too that turned out to be the pulley.
(different vehicle) I've never seen an issue at the pivot area.

[efnfast]

If I remember, Marc rebuilds these.

[Fully Vetted]

Yep - Here ya go:

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/products/accessory%20belt%20tensioner.htm