Hey guys, does anyone know if i can install a new timing belt tensioner without using the old spring? its a bitch to get it on, can i just tension the belt manually?

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1998, 2WD, 5sp, 2.5L, 135k as of 12/29/2012

No Dont put it on without the spring. Did you pay attention or take a pic before you took it off? One tip of the spring points straight out to the passenger side of mthe truck. The other end points straight down and butts on the "knob" on the tensioner. And I believe the tensioner goes on before the spring. Im sorry I cant be of more help. But mine was not hard at all. I do remember that. Fiddle with it a couple of different ways. Do an internet search and see if you can find a picture of it before it is disassembled. Mine went right on without difficulty. The tough part was when you go to shove it over to the left. I put a wooden hammer handle against the tensioner wheel and pushed it with all my might. Someone else tightend the bolt to hold it in place. Good luck

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Red 1994 Mazda B2300 Base Model With A/C--2.3L--140cid-100hp--4Cyl--D.I.S. Engine Code [A]--Bosch (4505) Fusion Iradium Spark Plugs-- "Cheap" 8mm Silicone Plug Wires--Gatorback Belt--Blocked Off/Disabled EGR Valve--Coil Mod--Throttle Cable Mod--Magnaflow Muffler/No CAT--5 Speed M5R1-RWD--3.45 Non Limited Slip Rear End---Lowered 5" Rear 3 1/2" Front---269,000 Miles as of 11/1/2013---If its a Ford you will need to keep a lot of tools and a good fire extinguisher handy.

Although you could install it without the spring, I won't recommend it. It's not all that hard to get the spring and tensioner installed.

• Reference my picture, assemble the spring, bolt and tensioner together.
• Leave the bottom bolt out and swing the tensioner counterclockwise to allow slack on the spring and start the top bolt
• Screw the top bolt in most of the way, then swing/pry the tensioner clockwise until you can install the bottom bolt.
• Then pry the tensioner further clockwise and tighten the bottom bolt to hold the tensioner out of the way while you install the timing belt.
• When ready, loosen the bottom bolt and let the spring apply tension to the belt
• Retighten everything.

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Thanks for the reply, ill be giving it a try again tomorrow when the sun comes up. i'm having a hard time swinging that tensioner, its not easy. ill try different angles for more leverage.

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1998, 2WD, 5sp, 2.5L, 135k as of 12/29/2012

I guess the right size pry bar would make a big difference. I came down from the top and leverage off left side of the top bolt to the right side of the tensioner pully. Try to not nick up the tensioner wheel.

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