Power steering belt tensioner 02' e46

[PRICE G]

Anyone have any experence with the power steering belt tensioner. Is it a disposable unit that needs to be replaced with belts? Reset procedeure? Thanks in advance.

[nathancarter]

Do a quick forum search for "tensioner" and you'll find tons of info.

You probably don't need to change the whole thing, but you might change the pulley if it is loose or wobbles or makes ANY noise.

[PRICE G]

Used the search before I posted my question. Lots of info, just not pertaining to my question.

[CodeOfConduct]

If it's hydrolic probably.. mechanical.. probably not.

[nathancarter]

OK.

There are two types of belt tensioners: mechanical and hydraulic. The mechanical tensioner looks like a round silver can with a pulley bolted to the face of it. The tension is provided by a spring inside. The hydraulic tensioner looks like a little shock-absorber assembly, with a shock and an armature and a pulley. They are interchangeable, but the hydraulic type is generally regarded to be superior.

Your car has two tensioners: one on the A/C belt and one on the serpentine belt that drives the power steering, alternator, and waterpump/fan. The tensioner types that are used vary by car (perhaps by year and/or assembly plant?), you may have two mechanical tensioners, two hydraulic tensioners, or one of each. My car has the mechanical tensioner on the A/C belt and the hydraulic tensioner on the serpentine belt.

The tensioner is easy to maniuplate, and they tension the belts automatically. You use a 16mm box wrench (mechanical) or a 8mm hex socket (hydraulic) to temporarily releive the tension, then slip the belt off - see diagram below. It's re-usable as long as it's not worn out.

The most common mode of failure is worn bearings inside the pulleys. The spring mechanism in the mechanical tensioner can also wear out (relatively common) and the shock mechanism inside the hydraulic tensioner can wear out (not particularly common). On the hydraulic tensioner, you can replace the pulley independently of the tensioner body, but on the mechanical tensioner, you can't (or, at least there's no part number for that pulley on RealOEM). If the mechanical tensioner fails, either replace the whole thing with a new mechanical tensioner, or replace the whole thing with the hydraulic tensioner assembly.

When you remove the belt, thoroughly inspect the pulleys on the tensioners. If they wobble or wiggle on the hub, or if they make any noise at all, then replace them.

There's also an offset idler pulley bolted to the front of the alternator that should be inspected, and replaced if necessary.

[BimmersGarage]

If anyone else is wondering when they should change/replace their Tensioner Pulley (This is a Mechanical unit)... If it sounds like this, then do yourself a favor and have it replaced ( Don't wait and "ride" it till it fails. Your Engine will appreciate it ) -
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vKqc29wOHg[/ame]