Unloading the belt tensioner…

[roguegeek]

Alright, this is a dumb question, but I’m kinda stuck. My accessory drive uses a Gates 38198 belt tensioner. The pulley has a cover bolted down with a hex bolt. How do I go about unloading the tensioner so I can install the belt?

188903

[roguegeek]

Just for more context. Leveraging off the hex bolt is making me feel like it’s gonna strip. My first thought was just remove the bolt and cover and throw a throw a standard bolt in there so I can really grab onto it. Thoughts?

[79 Camaro]

May sound a bit crude but can you get a pry bar behind the pulley on the "arm" of the tensioner? Use something under the pry bar so it doesn't damage anything.

[Vimes]

Looked up the part number, looks like that cover is just a cover, and it should have had a bolt under it. So yes, you can take the cover off and stick a bolt in. If you take the cover off, you might find that there's a bolt underneath that has a hole in it for the hex head to screw into.

https://www.gates.com/us/en/search.p.7808-000000-000000.v.7808-01098.html

[showdog75]

Look on the backside of the tensioner. Some have provisions for a 3/8" drive on the back.

[Bigblockscott]

I have the same Wegner belt drive. The tensioner is just super stiff. You need an allen socket so you can use a long enough ratchet to get enough torque, than just give it smooth, constant pressure and it will move, the sudden jerking is what will damage it. I've had my belt off several times and never worried about the bolt stripping.