The belt tensioner roller. How to replace the belt tensioner pulley

The role played by an automobile generator can not be overemphasized. This important unit provides not only an efficient operation of the electrical wiring of the machine, lighting devices and other electric energy consumers with the car engine turned on. It directly affects the operation of the car's ignition system, as well as a useful function such as recharging the battery while the engine is running. Therefore it is very important that the car generator works properly and smoothly.

However, like any other complex technical unit, it requires careful prophylaxis and scrupulous care of oneself. Even if the generator connection is made by all rules, some of its components will eventually fail.

Characteristic breakdown of the generator

The car generator is a rather complicated device, including various details, components and mechanisms. But if to speak about breakages of the given unit, they happen basically not with internal, and with external parts and details.

One of the most common malfunctions in the operation of an automobile generator is, as a rule, damage to the drive belt. And the weakest point is not the contour itself, which has a sufficiently large margin of safety, but the belt tensioner roller, which needs replacing.

It would seem, quite an insignificant detail, which is also quite inexpensive (the cost of tensioning rollers will be discussed below), but what a great value it has! In this article we will talk about whether it is possible to replace the belt tensioner roller with the hand and how to properly perform this procedure. After all, if there is not every malfunction, the owner of the car must immediately rush to the nearest car service for the help of highly qualified experts. Some of the work of the car enthusiast may well be made independently.

Why do we need this element in the generator?

As the name implies, the belt tensioner roller is designed to provide the specified drive stretch parameters. The fact is that stable and efficient operation of the generator is impossible without proper tension of the drive belt. Since its drive is subjected to constant high loads, it has the property of stretching and deforming over time. It is the task of optimal belt tension and is designed to solve special rollers.

Types of parts

To date, the belt tensioner roller can be of two types:

• Eccentric. That is a roller with a shifted center of gravity.
• Special movable bracket. The tensioner roller is mounted on it.

It is necessary to understand that the parts intended for brands and models of cars of different manufacturers may have their own design features. That is, the belt tensioner for the Lacetti generator is unlikely to work correctly on an Opel car or on any other. Nevertheless, the details of some manufacturers have a certain degree of interchangeability. However, only highly qualified specialists with the necessary theoretical knowledge and rich practical experience can determine this degree.

Replacing the part with your own hands

Despite the importance of stable and trouble-free operation of the generator of the car, the complexity of the device and the need for precise adjustment of all components and parts, in order to replace the belt tensioner pulley generator, you do not need to be an expert in the field of vehicle knowledge. With a certain skill to make a similar operation, the car owner himself can, without turning to the specialists of the car service or service station. How to do it?

When does it become necessary to replace the tension roller? The main component of the tension roller, which is often referred to as the "lenix", is a conventional bearing. Being in good condition, "Lenix" rotates easily and absolutely noiselessly. But in the event of failure or wear of the bearing, the tension roller begins to emit a very characteristic noise. This leads to a very obvious conclusion. If the belt tensioner roller whistles, then it needs to be replaced immediately! The fact is that the faulty element affects the operation of not only the generator itself, but also the valve group of the engine.

Typical malfunctions of a roller of a tension of a generator belt

Since the basis of its bearing is, then most of the faults of this part are connected with it. The most common faults in the bearing included in the belt tensioning roller are the following:

• Wear, causing backlashes and gaps when the part rotates;
• Destruction of individual parts of the bearing, causing jerking during work;
• Corrosion or destruction of the separator, balls or rollers, which leads to a complete failure of the roller.

In any case, it must be remembered that if this element starts to produce extraneous sounds (usually a whistle), then it is not easy to postpone the replacement of the part for a long time, but even dangerous!

Cost of a tension roller of the generator

The price of the tensioning roller depends on several terms. The main of them are the following:

• Material of manufacture. The element can be made of metal, of high-strength plastic, or of composite materials. In any case, it includes a metal bearing group.
• Make and model of the car. As you know, the same part can differ significantly in price, in accordance with the prestige of the machine.
• Design features. The more complex the design, the more the belt tensioner roller is more expensive.

Nevertheless, the average cost of this part can be called without difficulty. For most regions of the Russian Federation, the belt tensioner roller, the price for which ranges from 200-300 rubles (for bracket structures) to 700-800 (for eccentrics) is not a serious problem in terms of its acquisition. As can easily be seen, the tension rollers are relatively inexpensive. And for its installation or replacement, you will not need any special skills and skills, a particularly complex tool or special equipment.

What tool is needed to replace the tension roller

As already mentioned above, no special tool or special equipment is required to replace the tensioner pulley of the generator belt. It would be enough to have a conventional spanner or ratchet with a head. Dimensions of the fastening bolts on different models of cars can be different. But, as a rule, for dismantling of a tension roller it is enough to unscrew just three hardware products.

Step-by-Step Algorithm for Replacement Tension Roller

Of course, before you start replacing this part, you need to open the hood to access the engine compartment of the car. Obviously, the belt tensioner pulley ("Prior VAZ" including) in the car of any other brand is placed on the engine, from the front side of it. After that it will be necessary to make the following order of actions and measures:

• Secure the crankshaft of the vehicle in a fixed position. To do this, simply insert a small crowbar, mount, or any other metal object into the teeth of the clutch disc.
• Loosen the fastening of the roller (or its retaining bracket), slightly unscrewing the bolt, thereby removing the tension from the belt tension.
• After unscrewing the mounting bolt completely, remove the belt tensioner of the alternator to be replaced.
• Replace the new roller and secure it with a bolt.

It is important to remember that the belt tension after all the procedures performed must be as tight as possible. Otherwise, the generator will noticeably lose its efficiency and will not be able to produce the optimum efficiency in its operation. Moreover, if the belt is not properly tensioned, it may be necessary to re-connect the generator quite costly, with the installation of new adjustments. And this automatically means the need for wasting time, nerves and money associated with a trip to car service specialists. And this despite the fact that such problems can be avoided if the procedure for replacing the element is approached with due attention and responsibility.

It's just that it does not mean something!

It is quite obvious that it is not so difficult to replace the belt tensioner pulley ("Kalina" is not an exception). By and large, almost any car owner can cope with this work. However, the simplicity of this operation should not introduce the owner of the vehicle into a frivolous error. Negligence is unacceptable in the repair and maintenance of the car under absolutely any process, no matter what the details are!

Separate subtleties and nuances of roller replacement

Of course, the above algorithm for replacing the belt tensioner pulley is quite schematic. Today, the world's leading automotive transport manufacturers are trying to unify their developments in such a way as to exclude, as far as possible, the interchangeability of parts for different models, even their own production. What can we say about the products of competitors. And in this business for the auto giant practically there are no trifles. The closest attention is paid to the generator as a whole, and to the tension roller in particular.

However, such a detail as the belt tensioner roller has a fairly simple design. Moreover, it can be said that such details in their present form and condition have practically reached the ceiling of perfection. To invent something new, except for the geometric dimensions and method of attachment, is difficult enough. That's why the procedure for replacing the tensioning element outlined above is suitable in about 99% of cases.

Conclusion

So, we found out how to properly replace the belt tensioner on the machine. Love your car, and then it will reciprocate you.