Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

how tight to make belts

Featured Replies

I love the screw adjusters for tightening the "fan" belts on the 95 Legacy I recently bought.....after 23 years driving subarus, it's a nice addition

 

But, it seems one could easily overtighten them...anyoner have a feel for it?

I was taught that you should be able to deflect the fan belt 1/2" - 3/4" using one finger ... then it was right.

 

'Course back then Fuji Heavy Industries was still digging out from the rubble left by B-29s, so who knows now!

The previous advice is good (says who?...)

But put more than a little pressure on the finger...:D

Apply 22 pounds of pressure to the following point:

Midway between the alternator and crank pulley on the power-steering belt.

 

New Belt deflection: .27-.35 inches

Old/Used Belt Deflection: .35-.43 inches

 

For the other belt--Apply 22 pounds of pressure to the following point: Midway between the Airconditioning and the crank pulley on the airconditioning belt.

 

New Belt deflection: .29-.33 inches

Old/Used Belt Deflection: .33-.39 inches

 

Source: Alldata Automotive Repair Manual on CD-Rom

 

How do you apply exactly 22 pounds? I don't know.

I asked myself the same question when I read those in the manual.

Maybe put the car on its side and put a lead weight on the belt... :confused:

One finger, 1/2" - 3/4" deflection.

 

Them ol' pepper tree mechanics wuz smart.

Them ol' pepper tree mechanics wuz smart

I've heard of shade tree mechanics (and consider myself to be one) but never of «pepper tree» mechanics.

From where does that expression originates?

Most of the available shade trees with a low horizontal branch strong enough for a pully were pepper trees.

 

The best pepper tree machanics were always the old Mexicans.

trained with they showed a tension scale that looked sort of like a scale you use to weigh fish. I never used one myself and never knew anyone who did.

What I have seen with belts that is more of a problem is universal types that are just a bit thinner than stock that don't run correctly in the pulleys.

Now of course we have serpentine blts that cause tensioner problems and cost more to rectify than some of my first cars.

I just push down on the belt for deflection and if it squeaks I tighten a bit more.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.