Serpentine belt tensioner replacement

Has anyone out there replaced the tensioner on the 4.0 V6? Or does anyone know the procedure to do this? I am doing all my pulleys to try and finaly rid my truck of the annoying squeal.

Any help would be great. The search did not help much.

Thanks!

 

Hope this helps couldnt find much else.. check out page 9

 

I will be doing mine shortly as I'm experiencing the same thing. I believe (from the little I looked at it), you will simply remove tension on the belt, remove, and then remove the tensioner nut on the shaft, I think as long as you have a pin (or screwdriver) in the slot, the CCW rotation will stop to a point and allow you to loosen the nut.

I'm sure someone will chime in (Chris 4x4)?

 

I think you talking about just replacing the pulley on the tensioner. I purchased the Gates part from RockAuto which I believe is the entire tensioner assembly. I might see if I can just take off the pulley though.

 

I have not replaced the tensioner yet as it looks like a PIA. I did find on another forum a guy who replaced it on a 03 4runner 4.0 which I believe is exactly the same and he said you have to move the alternator & the AC compressor although he did say you can leave it hanging there resting on something. He also said the bolts are a PIA to get at to remove/install the tensioner. I think I am just going to replace the pulley on mine and send this tensioner back. It seams to be applying tension just fine.

Anyone had one of these go back and have to replace one? Mine is a 05 with 88,000 miles on it.

 

Any updates?

 

I am going to try and replace this maybe next weekend after Christmas when I have time. I decided I will try and replace the entire tensioner part since I have it at the house and it will only save me $10 after shipping if I return it and buy just the pulley. I also found a Toyota TSB for the 4Runner about a noisey tensioner. It says to replace the tensioner with a new part number tensioner and then also shim the pulley as it may still not line up correctly. I am hoping the aftermarket Gates tensioner will help correct this. My truck it only making noise in the rain now. Its fine on dry days.

To replace the tensioner you need to completely remove the alternator and then unbolt the AC compressor but you dont have to disconnect the lines. I guess you can just push it aside. Not much space in there though!

I will post an update after I attempt this!

 

Interesting. Mine is the just the opposite. I just powerwashed my truck, and the squeak is gone. Has only come back a little bit randomly. I'm holding off on ordering it, because, well, I want to see if your fix cures it

 

Well I changed out the entire tensioner assembly today and I can say it was a PIA! It took me about 5 hours of work to do. I will let you know if the chirp is still there when we get another good rain. I can say that it seams to apply much more tension to the belt and the belt lines up better on the pully than the stock one. On the stick one the belt was right to the edge of the tensioner pulley. I will post some more on how the job went and some pictures when I have some time to do so.

Happy Holidays everyone!

 

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Here are some pics of the new tensioner the old tensioner & idler pulleys and also the spot you have to work with to move the alternator & compressor. The new idlers were already on the truck so I did not take a picture of those but you can see on in the engine bay shot.

 

My tensioner was making a chatter noise on my 2013 Tacoma.
1. Remove fan shroud and fan
2. Disconnect battery
3. Use 1/4 drill bit to remove tension on serpentine belt
4. Remove alternator ( note 2 screws hold wire harness clamp on outside of alternator)
5. Disconnect air condenser (4 bolts two top two bottom hold in place with wire and disconnect wires)
6. Remove four bolts holding tensioner to block
7. Attach new tensioner ( 27ft lbf 36 Nm )
8. You might want to replace #2 and #1 idlers
#2 29 ft lbf and #1 40 lbf

 

How long did this take you to replace?

 

From experience with my 06 do them all at once.
Believe it or not it is easier to drop the skid and do it all from the bottom.
Idler pulleys 30 min max.
Tensioner depends on how small your hands are 2 hrs.

 

The project took around five hours. I changed all of the idlers, tensioner, belt and the fan clutch.

 

When you removed the compressor bolts, did you have to disconnect the lines or was there enough play to get at the tensioner bolts?

 

You will have to unplug cables for air conditioner and alternator, several hold down clamps. Do not Disconnect hoses.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info

 

Most tensioner noises are from the pulley bearing, which is relatively easy to replace. In all my Toyota products, except the Sienna, I have yet to replace a tensioner, only the bearings have been replaced. On the Sienna the tensioner is easy to replace when servicing the timing belt, plus it came in the kit I got. The bearing size for the Tacoma V6 tensioner bearing is 17X40X17.5 (ID X OD X Width); I replaced mine with a Nachi 5203-2NS bearing. Gates has a good web page on diagnosing tensioner issues.

 

Were you able to remove/replace the tensioner bearing with std. tools or was a special tool(s) required. Thanks.

 

I get a nasty grinding noise and a lot of bouncing from the tensioner. I've had several belts shred and lately when I replace the shredded belt with a new one the second I start my truck it immediately rides on the outside of the water pump pulley