D22 Alternator tensioner

[r34 gtr]

Okay, for the life of me I cannot get my alternator to stay tensioned. I did battle with it for about 3 months, tightening it when the belt started squealing. Then I finally had enough and replaced the belts. It was fine for a few weeks, but then it started again. On Monday the tensioner bolt snapped when I was driving, and when I went to drill the bolt out I found my alternator mounting brackets (on the alternator body) were trashed from improper installation by the previous owner, or some shady shop or something. Anyway, I replaced the alternator, got new hardware, new tensioner stuffs, and installed it properly. Well it was fine for a little while but it is already doing it again.

So, uh, anyone have any tips? I am probably going to try anti-seize this weekend, and if that doesn't work, some loctite. But am I missing something here? This is maddening!

[Rev_D21]

So the actual pulley is loosening up or is the entire alternator bracket? If the pulley keeps coming loose then I would replace the locknut that holds it together with a new one.

[whomadewho]

Sounds like the belt is not fitting properly in the pulley grove.( to far in,or not enough) Check the belt number to make sure you have the correct application. You may want to go with a belt that has groves or slots in it. Go with a quality brand belt ( Gates - etc ) Some of the after market made over the pond belts are junk from the get go. New belts need to be checked again. Its possible the new belt is glazed from slipping,you can try using a belt dressing. You can also use a flat washer and a lock washer on the tensioner bolt.

[r34 gtr]

Reverend,

Its the tensioner that is loosening up. The pulley is on there nice and tight.

The belt sits in the pulley groove just fine. It is a Gates belt, and it is not but a few weeks old. I just went and checked it, and it looks fine. No glazing or anything of the sort.

[whomadewho]

Try this - Loosen the bolt on the tensioner. Loosen the bolts on the alternator bracket. Take a pry bar and place tension on the alternator to tighten the belt. - Might try placing a nut on both sides of the tension bolt ( may require? using a longer tension bolt)

[todd1978]

whats up everybody iam new to this site but iam having the same proble with my 1991 nissan d21 my altanater belt is coming loose but i cant tighten it because the bolt is so rusty i think its going to snap what should i do? And also where can i get a new one?

[ojlambert74]

Check the rubber seal on your harmonic balancer. It's located in the middle of the balancer splitting the outer pulleys from the inner piece which connects to the crankshaft. Mine was dryrotted and allowed the pulley to flex and walk in and out on the crank and therefore proper adjustment of the belts was impossible