Belt Tensioner on 97 Malibu

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oldsalt23 - 30 Jun 2006 01:31 GMT

I had to replace the alenator on my 97 Chevrolet Malibu and am having trouble
figureing out how to move the belt tensioner so I can put the belt back on
the pulley. Is there a special tool. I tried one that I borrowed from Advance
auto but there seems no way to gain access to the bolt on the back of the
tensioner puller. Please advise. Thanks, oldsalt23(at)yahoo.(dot)com

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David - 30 Jun 2006 04:54 GMT

On the 2.8 and 3.1 V6 engines we have had, there is a 3/8" square indent in
the shaft the tensioner pulley spins on, made for a 3/8" ratchet. This
works real 'slick and quick'.
Hope that his helps you,
David

> I had to replace the alenator on my 97 Chevrolet Malibu and am having trouble
> figureing out how to move the belt tensioner so I can put the belt back on
> the pulley. Is there a special tool. I tried one that I borrowed from Advance
> auto but there seems no way to gain access to the bolt on the back of the
> tensioner puller. Please advise. Thanks, oldsalt23(at)yahoo.(dot)com

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Repairman - 30 Jun 2006 12:32 GMT

You'll need a pipe to put over the 3/8 ratchet so you'll have enough
leverage to move it unless you have a long handle ratchet.

> On the 2.8 and 3.1 V6 engines we have had, there is a 3/8" square indent
> in
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> auto but there seems no way to gain access to the bolt on the back of the
>> tensioner puller. Please advise. Thanks, oldsalt23(at)yahoo.(dot)com

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oldsalt23 - 30 Jun 2006 15:49 GMT

Thanks,
I feel like a real dummy. I was trying to do it from the back of the
pulley using a crowfoot or socket.
Ten seconds and it was done.
Jim

>On the 2.8 and 3.1 V6 engines we have had, there is a 3/8" square indent in
>the shaft the tensioner pulley spins on, made for a 3/8" ratchet. This
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> auto but there seems no way to gain access to the bolt on the back of the
>> tensioner puller. Please advise. Thanks, oldsalt23(at)yahoo.(dot)com

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leonard bailey - 15 Oct 2006 03:50 GMT

ues a3/8 drive ratchet, their is a slot in the
arm

>I had to replace the alenator on my 97 Chevrolet Malibu and am having
>trouble
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> auto but there seems no way to gain access to the bolt on the back of the
> tensioner puller. Please advise. Thanks, oldsalt23(at)yahoo.(dot)com

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