Hey,

 

Does anyone know who make a good tool to measure the V-Belt?  If so, do you have a number for it?

 

Thanks

Any auto parts store will have a belt gauge, so they can measure yours and give you a replacement. If the numbers an the belt are still legible, one number will be the measurement, usually in millimeters.

Any auto parts store will have a belt gauge, so they can measure yours and give you a replacement. If the numbers an the belt are still legible, one number will be the measurement, usually in millimeters.

Scott, I would rather do it myself.  thanks for the reply.

Are you trying to measure the length of the belt?

Or the tension on the belt?

Are you trying to measure the length of the belt?

Or the tension on the belt?

The Tension. I have the procedure from Subaru, but tightening the Tensioner Bolt on the Alternator & PS Pump to 8 nm is a lot.  The Air Conditioning & Idle pulley require a tensioners.   Many people just guess at it....

 

I was trying to find a good tensioner gauge 

You want new belts tighter than old ones since they will stretch. A good general rule is that you shouldn't be able to deflect the belt more than about 3/8-1/2" midway between the pulleys on the longest span. Thats pushing on it with your finger.

 

If in doubt, keep them on the loose side. If they make noise tighten them up.

 

Belt tension gauges don't really work well in practice. With a new belt you might be able to come up with a usable number (assuming you always use the same brand with same construction) but used belts have a range of shore hardness to the belt material from aging and have some amount of wear and some amount of stretch so they have to be tensioned mostly by an experienced and calibrated wrist.

 

Remember - loose is fast.

 

GD