Serp belt tensioner

[SN95driver]

I have a squeal above 1500 rpms. I just put Steeda underdrive pullys so those three are good...I beleive I have a bad serp belt tensioner, how hard is it to replace? It looks like three bolts holding it on. Can you please let me know if it is that easy or are there any gotchas I need to know about. Why I am doing it I am going to replace the idle pully is that difficult?

Thank you
Shelley
1998 GT

 

[SRT Handz]

3 bolts, thats it.

 

[NERD]

it's easy as pie to replace but what size belt are you using and how old is it??

 

[SN95driver]

It says ford on the belt I have had the car since April. It seems to have the aluminium tensioner. The belt does not look worn (to me). The Mods I know about are the steeda pulleys I just put on, BBK cold air intake, Flowmaster and possibly 3.73 rear. The car only has 80K miles. You say the tensioner is easy I don't have a lift can it all be done from the top?

I really appreciate the help!

 

[NERD]

Your belt is too long. Also, just because it doesn't look worn doesn't mean it's not stretched. i'd start with some spray lubricant in small squirts in the center of each pulley to check for bad bearings. Making sure to not get much on the belt so it doesn't mess the results of the test. When you use your breaker bar to test the spring load of the tensioner does it feel worn or less springy?

 

[MustangChris]

KEEP TRACK OF WHICH BOLT GOES IN WHICH HOLE!!! just use chalk pen on them... mark them so you remember whih one goes in what hole... for some reason i want to say 1 bolt is 1mm bigger or something...

 

[Knuckles281]

try some wd-40 first, then make sure it's actually the tensioner squealing before you replace it...been there before, lol

 

[uncltrvlnmatt]

Did you replace the belt with the under drive pullies? You installed smaller pullies so your belt is probably to long now.