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Thread: Alternator Belt Wont Stay Tight

  1. #1
    Chassis Designer WhiteLightning's Avatar
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    Default Alternator Belt Wont Stay Tight

    The first day i got the car i had to put on a new alternator belt when it shredded on the way home. Well ever since i put the new belt on i have not been able to keep the belt tight. I have tightened it hundreds of times, and the next day it will be looser then ever again. I mean about 1in of slack. Is there another hidden bolt i do not see that helps keep this thing tight? Please help...thanks in advance.

  2. #2

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    Did you put some thread locker on the bolts when you installed the new one?
    "Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague longing for something salty" - Peter Egan

  3. #3
    Chassis Designer WhiteLightning's Avatar
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    are you serious its going to take that much to keep it tight

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by WhiteLightning
    are you serious its going to take that much to keep it tight
    I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but it is a guess.
    "Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague longing for something salty" - Peter Egan

  5. #5
    Team Cheap Bastard
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhiteLightning
    are you serious its going to take that much to keep it tight
    Shouldn't have to do that. A new belt will stretch some at first.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm
    Shouldn't have to do that. A new belt will stretch some at first.
    It was worth a try.
    "Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague longing for something salty" - Peter Egan

  7. #7

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    I'd recommend coming to the next tech day. I'm sure we could fix it.
    ...and across the line.

    1996 Mazda Miata - R-Package (Eve-L)
    2012 Mazda CX-9 - Grand Touring (Dory)




  8. #8

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    So once you adjust it are you are tightening the bolts on the alternator?

    Good stuff here : http://www.miata.net/garage/KnowYourCar/S9_Belt.html
    Slide the alternator towards the engine. Remove and replace the belt. The tensioning bolt on the side needs to be tightened just enough to have the belt deflect 8 to 9mm between the alternator and the crank pulleys. Test this on the top of the belt. When it is tensioned sufficiently the do up the 12-mm mounting bolt at the rear of the alternator.
    Or do what Black Roadster says!

  9. #9

  10. #10

    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by Treibenschnell
    Is that a tough replacement? I've got to do mine soon...
    Nah it is pretty easy, did it on the POSII and Vivid, no issues.

    I did have some issues with a noisy NAPA belt but once I got an OEM belt no more noise problems.
    Last edited by POS Racing; 01-09-2006 at 11:25 PM.

  11. #11

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    The bolt that tightens the belt moves two pieces of metal relative to one another, via a fixture held in place by another bolt which you can see in front of the alternator. This bolt needs to be slack to tighten the belt, but then must be tightened again or it'll all come loose....
    "Get to Heaven half an hour before the devil knows your dead"

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  12. #12

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    My guess is that you've got a bent shaft somewhere. You should see a wobble on which ever pulley/shaft it is. That's about the only thing that would cause it to loosen.
    92 Sunny 214k, 95 Dimples, 93 James Bondo, 92 SM (Speedie Jr )
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  13. #13
    Chassis Designer WhiteLightning's Avatar
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    Well this morning i got the problem fixed. I found the hidden bolt that i was not tightening (the one bolt behind the alternator.)

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by WhiteLightning
    Well this morning i got the problem fixed. I found the hidden bolt that i was not tightening (the one bolt behind the alternator.)
    Sweet!

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