1996 V6 Mustang with belt tensioner problem

Matt Diesel · 03-09-2008

There is a lot of great information on this site that I have used in the past however yesterday while starting my 1997 V6 Mustang I threw the belt. Upon further investigation I found the belt tensioner is no longer "tensioning". It appears the spring in this mechanism has broken. I believe the whole assembly is replaceable (in researching parts online) however it looks like it is attached with a large six star bolt (which I do not have a head for yet). Is this all this assembly is attached by? Is there any issues I need to be aware of in replacing the tensioner? Any guidance is appreciated!

heavy metal · 03-09-2008

welcome to the site,enjoy!!!!

91GSP · 03-09-2008

**jim293** · 03-09-2008

and

Enjoy this site. You will find an answer for all of your problems.

**stlwagon** · 03-09-2008

Welcome... Let's find an answer in here.

Pro Mustang · 03-09-2008

You can look at the tensioner and it has marks on it for the minimum belt length amd maximum belt length. Be sure your belt has not streched or your belt is just too long. Be sure the routing of the belt is correct! If you put a square drive in the hole to pull up and release the tension does it feel like the spring is broken or does it has pressure on it when you pull up?

Let us know some of this info and we will try to help.

Matt Diesel · 03-12-2008

When you move the tensioner it has no resistance at all. I can move it through its full range of motion with my hand. It feels like the spring is broken in it. I checked the belt length and the belt run according to the diagram and everything checks out.