Quick question...how to use the belt tensioner
 

So I'm trying to take my alternator off

and I read you obviously have to loosen the belt with the belt tensioner

How do you do it?

I took a 13mm socket and turned it counter clockwise and the bolt just came out.

Then I put it back in and tried tightening it and it just kinda spins...

I guess I dont understand the system.

You turn the bolt clockwise to relieve tension on the belt.If it is spinning you either don't have the bolt in properly or you nessed up the tensioner. http://shbox.com/1/accy_brkt.jpg

I still dont understand

I turn it clockwise and then what?

Well lets make it simple:

-13mm sokets with a ratchet on the tensionner bolt.
-Turn clockwise and the tensionner should should come down.
-With the tensionner down you should have more than enough slack in the belt to take it off.

There i nothing more to say ;)

Then I guess the bolt is stripped?

It just spins and spins and spins...itll sort of gettin tight for like a 3 year old girl, then it spins again.

Yup you need a new tensionner.

Can you explain why?

All I did was take the bolt out and put it back in and it spins...I dont see how i stripped anything

Take the bolt off and the pulley.Could you see the thread inside the tensionner to see if those are damaged?

This would give you a good idea.

If I do this...will I be able to get the pulley back on?

well, the belt will come off, so yes

ok i'll go out and do that

if not they are pretty cheap. i had one fly off one night at WOT and replaced it in the parking lot with a autozone special. if the bolt isnt tightening what else could be the problem other than it stripped?

yea its stripped.

i banged on it and metal shavings came out

Can I get them somewhere locally?

(I dont know what an autozone special is)

try all your local auto parts stores, one should have one in stock

Ok i got it

$26, not bad

So

Now what do I do to ensure that I dont screw this one up.

Right now the old tensioner is on there...tensioning...

Its stripped

Whats the best method of putting this one on.

I still need the belt untenioned for the alternator too