July 10, 200619 yr Attempting my first timing belt/water pump replacement and have a question regarding compressing the tensioner adjuster. All the literature I have (FSM, Haynes, Chilton) shows the compression being done with the adjuster in the vertical position, is it acceptable to compress it in a horizontal position (in a bench vise)? Oh it is the old style tensioner, tubular about six inches long. Thanks and I am certain this will be the first of many questions.
July 10, 200619 yr I believe your supposed to compress the adjuster the same way that it is situated or mounted to your engine. Mounted vertically, compress vertically, mounted horizontally, compress horizontally. Remember to compress it very slowly. Good Luck.
July 10, 200619 yr Author I believe your supposed to compress the adjuster the same way that it is situated or mounted to your engine. Mounted vertically, compress vertically, mounted horizontally, compress horizontally. Remember to compress it very slowly. Good Luck. elmwood22, Thanks for the advice, sounds logical and roger on the compress slowly. In this application (97 Legacy L 2.2) it is mounted horizontally, so looks like the bench vise will work. Again thanks.
July 10, 200619 yr Bench vise works just fine; I've done a half dozen. Pause a few seconds between each squeeze. Also, put the "grenade pin" in from the top (where the mounting holes are); it can't be removed if installed from below.
July 10, 200619 yr I used a c-clamp to compress mine, it seemed to work well. The key is to go slowly to give time for the adjuster to equilibrate while you're compressing it. This is for the old style adjuster. I hear the newer ones may be a little more finicky. Matt D
July 10, 200619 yr Author BigMattyD and edrach, Thanks for the replies. And thanks for the tip on the "grenade pin", I would be the one to put it so I couldn't get it out!
July 10, 200619 yr BigMattyD and edrach, Thanks for the replies. And thanks for the tip on the "grenade pin", I would be the one to put it so I couldn't get it out! You'll laugh, the first 3 out of 4 that I did were installed upside down! So much for a 50-50 chance of doing it wrong.
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