Replaced Aternator, Now can't get belt tensioner back in place ?

FFparker · #1 09-24-2014, 11:50 AM

99 2.5L.
Just replaced my alternator. I think I may have loosen the belt tensioner a bit to much. Before I started it was straight up and down. Now when I tighten it, its at an angle and the belt is hitting the tensioner.
Is there a special tool for this or am I just missing something?

cowboybilly9mile · #2 09-24-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFparker

............. or am I just missing something?

Pulley size on the new alternator exactly the same as the pulley size on the old one?

FFparker · #3 09-24-2014, 11:56 AM

It should be. Its motorcraft brand.

cowboybilly9mile · #4 09-24-2014, 11:58 AM

Should be and actually did check and verify are not the same thing, so. Unless your serp belt is not sitting in one (or more) pulley, and provided you properly routed the belt, there really is no other reason for the issue.

FFparker · #5 09-24-2014, 12:09 PM

No you were right. The new pully is 2 3/4 and the old stock one is 2 1/2. Idk how to get that off. Its really tight and hard to hold the pully and try to spin that nut off

cowboybilly9mile · #6 09-24-2014, 12:16 PM

I don't have the tool and I've never had the need, but the parts retails see this all the time and they have whatever tools are needed to break that pulley lose and do the swap. If you can find a way to carefully pry on yours in a couple of places (ie, positive you won't damage it) you could try removing the nut and removing the pulley. Personally, I'd just take it off and go back with the old one, and have them do the swap. Inspect it for wear, nothing lasts forever including pulleys.

FFparker · #7 09-24-2014, 01:04 PM

I'm just getting it towed to a shop. I'm not going to deal with that. To much of a hassle and I need my truck fixed today.
Thanks for the help.

bulrid8 · #8 09-24-2014, 01:18 PM

You need an impact gun to get nut off. I just run both alternators up to closet shop and ask them to swap the pulleys. Might charge you a few bucks, if anything.

druid318 · #9 09-24-2014, 04:50 PM

Don't feel bad. My brother and I once changed an alternator on a car 3 times in 2 days.

Pulled the old one, took it to a parts store and got a new one. They took my old one for a core charge.

Installed the new one. Wrong pully size.

Removed it. Went back to the parts store and made them find my old one to swap the pully. They sort of acted like I was stupid for not noticing.

Installed the new one with the correct pully.

New alternator failed the next day and made all my gauges go crazy. Removed and returned it and installed another one.