Repeat Belt tensioner failure

[Rookie Vette owner]

Has anyone had mulitple failures of their belt tensioner? Mine has just started squealing again indicating that it is going to need replacement for the third time in just over 50K miles. I installed the first unit and had the dealer do the second, is their a permanent fix available, (well at least more than every 20-25K miles).:confused

 

[Mr. Lucky]

I don't know why it failed the first time (too tight?), but it is fairly common to see repeat failures, since the tensioner pulley is subject to misalignment. To fix this permanently, you need to either setup the tensioner with a laser alignment tool, or replace the assembly outright with the much more robust billet units available from Katech or RPM Motors (probably others as well).

 

[Pac-man]

just started squealing again, on second one. Torqued to proper specs, lasted only 10k miles

 

[c4c5specialist]

Are you both sure that your replacing the correct one?
AC tensioners seem to cause MORE noise then the larger one, because of wobbling of the crankshaft harmonic balancer.
Check to see if its wobbing appreciably and you might need the AC one.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Pac-man]

Great advice, thank you. Although the noise does stop for about 5000 miles when i change it.

 

[roxeye1]

I just changed my drive belt tensioner and still getting a faint squeak. This is occurring even with the a/c belt removed. However, there does appear to be some wobble in the harmonic balancer. How do I check to see if this is the cause of the squeak? If so, how do I fix?

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Unfortunately, the wobble may be causing the condition, in conjunction with the tensioner not being strong enough.
Simply put additional tension on the pulley to see if the noise goes away.
Allthebest, c4c5