Belt tensioner replacement DIY

2016 Tacoma Sport 4x4 3.5.

Here are the tools I used.


I had a rattle for a while. Every time I turned lock to lock or had the ac on. Finally traced it down to the belt tensioner. Didn't see a DIY, so I figured id make one.

Disconnected the battery and moved it out of the way. Turned tensioner in counter close wise and put a pin in it to lock it.







Need to remove two 14 mm bolts from front of tensioner and one from the side. Side one goes through the ac compressor and is a nut on a stud. HIGHLY RECOMMEND HAVING A E TORX AT THIS POINT. Makes taking the stud out much easier.



I didn't have any at the house so i ended up removing the alternator. Took me about 3-4 hours to do this with out a lift and middle of the day. Hopefully this helps out.

Removed the alt and double nutted the stud, so I could take it off.




There are 2 bolts in front of the alternator 1 long and 1 short. There is also a thing bolt from behind. very difficult to see, I took it off by feeling and it was a PITA.


Aftermarket belt if any one needs it.


Torque specs and Belt diagram


Here is the final product. I also replaced the upper pulley as it had a lot of play in it and the bearing was noisy.


Any suggestions and/or tips and tricks, please share on here.

 

how many miles were on your truck when you did this,

 

Around 115-122k.

 

Good write up

 

Great job OP and thanks for sharing the diy!!!

 

thanks

 

I would like to add some info to this thread since not many belt threads pop up.

The belt number the OP referenced is to long. I'm not saying his diagnosis on the belt tensioner was wrong, but it's possible the tensioner was maxing out/rattling. Proper part numbers listed below

Bando

$20 7PK2120 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt

7PK2120

Gates cross reference: 070834

I would take a Bando belt over Gates any day. I think they are better quality and nearly half the price or lower given the application.

 

I trust this post because you have a significant amount of snap-on tools.

 

All for work man.

 

Thanks I'm at 188k miles and mines telling me it needs replaced. How much did you spend on parts?

 

Did you have to take the clutch fan and shroud off in order to gain access? And what about the upper radiator hose?

Many thanx

 

Another question,

They're 3 columns in the torque spec diagram. Which column is the torque spec?

Thanx

 

Nope. It slips around without removing anything. I would recommend working from below. Topside was a lot of work.

That is for replacing the tensioner. You do not need to do that.

 

@tonered

Thanx so much for that info. I will be replacing the tensioner and so I need to get the torque spec.

 

You're welcome.


Ah!

The different values are for different units. Scroll up to the top of that page. If I am correct, ft-lbs are typically the last / third value given.

 

Appreciate the pictures. I have a 2019 tacoma with 90,000 mi and will be needing to change the 2 idler pulleys and planning on changing the belt tensioner also. I can't find any of the torque specs. I think I have a torx socket for the stud going thru the compressor. Does anyone know what size torx socket I need? Thanks. I just joined the forum.

 

Great write up OP. Followed it to a T and went smoothly. E8 Torx Socket FYI.

 

Do you still need to take off the alternator if you have the E Torx? I’m doing this tomorrow, my housing snapped while taking tension off during a belt replacement.

 

No you do not.

 

Great write-up. Is the tensioner failure common? Is the spring the issue or something else? I’ve replaced many tensioner pulleys alone over the years, even one on similar engine (wife’s RX) and was curious as to where the wear is.