Adjusting belt tension on an 80 - good tool

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i got the gauge today and I am wayyyyy under tension ! no wonder my belts were making noise after 20k miles or so… as it is they feel tight, but I guess my ‘thumb’ tight was not enough ! :pig::pig::pig::pig::pig::pig:

Will get them adjusted this w-end ! Thanks OP for this amazing post !!!!!!!! :flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2:
 
Got it today. Adjusted the belts.
Super easy. My belts were chirping after the fan clutch mod and it got worse when temps get over 100. So I knew they were loose.

Only 106 today.

WOOT!
 
Did this work this morning. And in the legacy of Mudsters, it only me 11.8 seconds while holding a beer with one hand. I did learn that the belts where very loose, so thank you so much for the info. Also, measure the tension before and after securing either locknut. The alternator was the same before and after, slight decrease if anything, but the AC one went up significantly. So I loosened locknut, reduced tension a bit, and secured locknut, and measured again. That got it right in the midpoint.

This tool is very repeatable in measurements, good precision with multiple reads. Hope is accurate!
 
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Same as a bunch of mudders - I got the tool today and tested my belts. Both the alternator and compressor belts we low off the scale. Tightened up the adjusting bolts until the belts were at the low end of the range and now they are good to go. Definitely quieter
 
Checked my belts & adjusted them this morning using this device.

***Caution*** If pressure isn't applied properly then you can get a reading of ~30lbs too light! There's a ~1" flat spot on the bottom of the device just off to the side of the black clicker that you put your finger on. If the pressure isn't applied towards/on this flat spot, your reading will be way off. I was measuring mine & thinking, there's no way there's only 20lbs of pressure on that belt. After tinkering w/it a bit I learned to do it properly & discovered I had ~50lbs., not 20lbs. Y'all may know this but it wasn't obvious to me @ 1st. Just FYI.
 
Since I tightened my belts, they now squeak/squeal for the first ~5 minutes when starting cold. They made zero sound prior. What gives???
 
You need new belts most likely, they are probably dry and worn a bit more due to being loose for awhile.
 
Dissent said:
You need new belts most likely, they are probably dry and worn a bit more due to being loose for awhile.
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They are new, as in last week new.
 
120mm said:
You burned them. Once they are burned, they are toast.

I am the king of screwing up belts; that's how I know... :(
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I can burn them at 45lbs of pressure (which is on the bottom spectrum of FSM scale)? Also, if they were burned, wouldn't they squeak the whole time, not just at start up in the morning?
 
Yeah. I did the same. Had 3 month old belts that caused a squeak I thought was a water pump bearing. Replaced belts and its all good now!
 
Well hell. If that's the case then I'm throwing that damn gauge away! Changed my own belts for 20+ years and never had an issue till I used the tool. I'll get new belts, remove the old ones and run it for a second to see if squeak is gone. If so, in the trash goes the Gates gauge!
 
Lol. Suit yourself. The dealer actually did mine that time along with my head gasket work and used their fancy gauge. :)
 
Truck has been sitting for 9 hours and it's about 90* outside. Went to pull it into the bay to check belts and there's no squeaking. Sooooo it only happens when ambient temps are under 70*. Still thinking burnt belts?
 
LFD2037 said:
Truck has been sitting for 9 hours and it's about 90* outside. Went to pull it into the bay to check belts and there's no squeaking. Sooooo it only happens when ambient temps are under 70*. Still thinking burnt belts?
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Well gee, may as well start replacing parts. Clearly the tool is wrong and your belts are fine.
 
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