Adjusting engine accessory belts?

[JedCoop]

I've read about folks needing to replace idler pulleys, or ruining bearings on alternators and water pumps. I think I have a good feeel for not overtightening the idler pully center bolt or the belt itself.

Is there a sure way to not overtighten these things, yet make sure they are tight enough?

[elwesso]

Really the only way is to test the deflection with one of the gauges listed in the FSM... Basically the way the FSM has you doing it is applying 22lbs of force to the belts, and then you measure the deflection in (mm)..

Either way, eyeballing it works pretty well... Since I dont have a torque wrench here at home, i have 4 levels of torque, and its generally fairly close... "on there", snug, tight, never coming off..... I think in this case I would use my "snug" setting.....