micfly83

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.

bingo

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

micfly83

I still dont understand

I turn it clockwise and then what?

always faster

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

micfly83

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.

always faster

Yup you need a new tensionner.

micfly83

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

always faster

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.

micfly83

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

Dave89IROC

well, the belt will come off, so yes

micfly83

ok i'll go out and do that

FlamingChicken

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?

micfly83

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)

Dave89IROC

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

micfly83

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