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How to set correct drive belt tension?

Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Asked on January 19, 2021

I’m replacing the drive belts on a 1997 Nissan Wingroad. This model doesn’t have an automatic tensioner and so the belts have to be adjusted manually.

The service manual calls for a deflection of between 0.20" and 0.24" for one of the belts and between 0.12" and 0.20" for the other, with a pushing force of 22lb.

The actual tension of the belts at these settings is not specified, only the correct deflection and pushing force.

I’ve been looking at a few different belt tension gauges online such as the Krikit 2:

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-91132-Belt-Tension-Tester/dp/B000CRDLZM/

However, it only shows the tension of the belt itself, not the pushing force.

Is it standard practice for drive belt manufacturers to specify the correct tension for their belts? What if those specs don’t match those in the service manual?

You can also get the pencil type tension testers such as the following:

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-7401-0076-Pencil-Tension-Deflection/dp/B00CJEGXK6/ref=pd_sbs_263_2/

That one might be more suitable as it measures the pushing force but has some really terrible reviews.

One Answer

So, push with one finger on a set of scales so you know what 22lbs feels like, then see if it feels the same with that deflection - use a steel rule to see how far the belt moves...

Correct answer by Solar Mike on January 19, 2021

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