Originally Posted by
GraphiteGhost
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Can someone post a picture of this 'strut' and the tensioner without one 'strut'? I've never seen a 'springless' tensioner. I'm having a time understanding how a tensioner is working without a way for the tension to keep the belt tight. The only thing I can think of, its later model of the tensioner has an INTERNAL coiled spring that takes up the 'slack' in the belt. A couple pictures would help confirm (plus a confirmation the strut tensioner doesn't have an internal spring and the newer one does). Thanks!
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There is an internal spring in the tensioner, a pin is used to keep the spring in a fixed position to aid in placing the belt in position. The tension is taken up with a 17 mm hex so ket wrench and the pin removed when all is aligned, the pin is also used on the auto tensioner. The pin I believe is 5mm, I never could fit the pin when removing the belt.
The strut was on my 2004 NA but is not on the SRT, it is a short gas filled tensioner.
I believe they are two absorb the shock off the acceleration of the engine thus easing the sudden tension of the belt. Why the gas strut is missing from the SRT I have no idea. Do the 2007s have a strut?