Automatic Belt Tensioner – 3 Most Common Failures
The three most common failures of automatic belt tensioners are:
Bearing Failure:
The main cause of tensioner failure is the bearings. With the engine off and the belt removed manually rotate the tensioner pulleys and idlers. Excessive noise and resistance when turning the pulley could indicate bearing failure.
Gates bearings are rigorously tested to ensure extended life.
Tensioner Misalignment:
As the tensioner wears it starts to become misaligned meaning the belt could get pushed off the drive. Misalignment may appear as metal on metal contact between the arm and the spring housing.
Gates unique nylon bush design means the tensioner wears evenly reducing the risk of misalignment.
Sticky Tensioner Movement:
Damage within the tensioner causes pulley wear & sticky tensioner movement. If you move the tensioner through its entire range of motion & it catches or binds in segments it is time to replace the tensioner.
Gates superior design of spring, bushing and dust cover reduces the risk of tensioner contamination.
