Broken supercharger tensioner pulley

Hey everybody, I have a 2014 Tacoma and recently installed the Magnuson supercharger, I have about 1,000 miles on it. Today as I was pulling into the driveway the tensioner arm for the s/c belt snapped off. I wanted to see if anybody has had this problem?

 

It's happened to a couple guys at least. One guy twice. First page of this thread lists possible alternative tensioners.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...4-0-supercharger-tips-tricks-and-mods.518932/

 

Thank you, yeah this was perfect timing because I am supposed to leave for a week long Baja trip tomorrow morning. But won’t have new part till Monday.

 

@XPOTRPR has experience in this area. He goes through tensioners quicker than underwear.

 

1,000 mi is absurd for a tensioner to break. I have about 36k miles and no issue, but my supercharger and s/c kit is from the pre-Magnuson TRD era.

 

I am concerned with replacing it with the same part and driving through Baja. I can’t get an aftermarket one in time. Seems like crappy casting.

 

I don't think they break too often until smaller supercharger pulleys and shorter belts put more tension on them. You should be good to go for your trip at least until you can replace with something better.

 

Fingers crossed, thank you guys for the help!

 

Damn . More and more are showing up huh .

 

Oh you have no idea. Do a search for "tensioner" in the thread that @TodayWasTHeDaY posted and read away.

That's what I originally thought, but it seems tensioners are breaking regardless of the application. Nonetheless, it's worth investigating.

Yeah. I'm digging into this because, well, I'm interested. Why have these superchargers been around for ten years and only within the last few are tensioners breaking (or at least we're more attuned to hearing about them) regardless of age, mileage, and stress?

 

I’ve seen it in the other thread. But are any of failing units TRD? Or are the all post-TRD and Magnuson labeled units. And of those breaking id be curious how many are near stock vs smaller pulley plus smaller belt mods? I did a 2.5 install last weekend with a smaller belt and that tensioner was pushed so far back there was nearly zero play when placing a wrench on it to relieve tension. It was maxed out.

 

That's exactly what I'm researching.

 

Well I was able to find a new tensioner available in LA today so I got the truck running again. Now off to Baja tomorrow morning. Thanks again everyone

 

I wonder if Magnuson started cheaping out on their source for tensioner manufacturer.

Glad to see you got this sorted OP!

I'm also glad I'll never have to deal with this again. Lol.

 

It is a Toyota part, it just seems a little thin in the area they break. Could have used more beef!

 

I would not buy anything that isn't forged so it doesn't grenade under stress.

 

Once I am back that’s what I plan on getting, couldn’t get one in time this trip.

 

Sounds like you guys need a heavy duty beef tensioner upgrade.

 

Yes please!! What one is that?

 

It's a modified tensioner built by Thump. Unfortunately it requires modification outside of it's normal intended use to be able to retrofit into our superchargers. If you want more info, I suggest you head to my Tips, Tricks, and Mods thread I have built specifically for our Magnuson and TRD blowers.

This particular unit is currently running on mine, and uses a double bearing 50mm pulley, which, I also had to modify to fit onto the tensioner. It runs amazingly on my setup, clears properly and maintains incredibly stable vacuum and boost situations at all times. Personally the best mod I have ever done to my blower. I will never break this tensioner no matter what.