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Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 28 Apr 2009 03:55 pm
by jtbo
So, this has been annoying task which I have been wondering if there would be any easier way to do.
When I replace timing belt tensioner it is utterly pain to get that damn spring compressed and stay compressed so that I would put tensioner on place and tighten bolt, then put timing belt on and adjust tensioner to proper setting.
What is easiest way to do this when you are not actually Terminator level in strength?
Is there some tool that I'm missing?
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 29 Apr 2009 08:17 am
by xtrmjks
loosen nut, compress spring and fit pin to tensioner end of spring to lock it. slide out tensioner and spring.
fit spring to vice compress, remove pin. fit new tensioner, compress sring againg, fit pin. fit in car, time belt, remove pin.
JOB DONE !

Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 29 Apr 2009 08:47 am
by jtbo
That is method I have been using.
Problem is this compress section, it seem to be very very strong spring, when I try to compress it in vice it usually say bojoing and then let the spring hut begin
It is semi manageable when that is in car, but getting it back takes hours because of all that searching of spring, grrrr.
Some kind of spring clamping tool would be nice to job, but there is not so small ones, I believe?
BTW that spring is next to impossible to compress any bit by hand.
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 29 Apr 2009 08:51 am
by xtrmjks
jtbo wrote:That is method I have been using.
Problem is this compress section, it seem to be very very strong spring, when I try to compress it in vice it usually say bojoing and then let the spring hut begin
It is semi manageable when that is in car, but getting it back takes hours because of all that searching of spring, grrrr.
Some kind of spring clamping tool would be nice to job, but there is not so small ones, I believe?
BTW that spring is next to impossible to compress any bit by hand.
I htink You need to get to Gym!!
Surely, spring should't be that tight..
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 29 Apr 2009 09:23 am
by jtbo
xtrmjks wrote:
I htink You need to get to Gym!!
Surely, spring should't be that tight..
It is more difficult to compress than standard front springs of 360, it seems to be very very stiff spring

Maybe that is some kind of heavy duty model?
Once I managed to wound plastic bottle with that spring as it decided to go bojoing it did go straight trough the bottle, I'm bit worried of my health when playing with that spring.
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 29 Apr 2009 09:40 am
by xtrmjks
I got couple of springs at unit, I'l check what they are like..
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 30 Apr 2009 12:44 am
by MJ
jtbo wrote:
Once I managed to wound plastic bottle with that spring as it decided to go bojoing it did go straight trough the bottle, I'm bit worried of my health when playing with that spring.
Yikes, make sure you've got your goggles on!
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 30 Apr 2009 04:46 pm
by jtbo
xtrmjks wrote:I got couple of springs at unit, I'l check what they are like..
Thx, car won't go anywhere for few weeks as I'm missing few oil seals still, only when I manage to get those I can start thinking of putting rest together and it can take indeed weeks, depending from how much I have to spend time at job (probably too much).
Re: Tips for tensioner spring?
Posted: 30 Apr 2009 04:51 pm
by jtbo
MJ wrote:
Yikes, make sure you've got your goggles on!
I don't know if they would help a much, it would probably go trough, but I try to keep them on as well as hearing protection, it is really amazing what hammering in closed space can do to your hearing, so even I look completely like idiot (which actually is not different from normal) still I wear eye and hearing protection.