Oh God What Have I Done ?

[adrianf.]

Well my belt tensioner seems to have finally cried enough today.

Now have judering steering on tick over and a few funny noises from that direction.

Have read most of the posts on here and it seems to point to the tensioner as it does jump around a fair bit.

Heres the worrying bit--------------------

Have booked it into ford :lol:

I dont really want them to do it but its very local to me and its just a lot easyer cos of lack of time etc.

They have quoted me

[Dave-G]

I've not done it myself Adrian - but have you cheked the alternator pully as shown by Little Daz a few weeks ago?

 

I think you'll find it with a search for "alternator pully"

 

EDIT - I found it for you Adrian - but note that you were active in that thread :- noisy pully thread

 

The fault you describe is precisely the same as I had - which was fixed by replacement of the alternator. If your car is not under warranty the Alternator pully would be the cheapest option

Edited March 3, 2007 by Dave-G

[mumble_bee]

parts look reasonably priced, the tensioner is near enough

[adrianf.]

Hi Dave G. I have done the liitle test with the turning of the alternator blades and they turn fine in one direction (clockwise i think) and i cant feel ant play or movement in the pully.

IIRC mumble bee the cost of the tensioner was only

[Dave-G]

Ok Adrian - Best of luck with it mate

[adrianf.]

UPDATE

 

Oh know. Just gone out to check that the alternator pulley WAS ok and the bloody thing is solid in both directions.

BALLS

It was ok a week or so ago but not now.

So a change of plan.

Do i trust ford to have a look at the alternator.

[scrote]

I had to remove the tensioner when I replaced the alternator and its not a bad job

 

you could try releasing the tensioner and locking it in position which would then enable you to check all the pullys to see which one is the trouble

 

i used an open ended spanner on the metal block on the top of the tensioner and pulling it towards you you can line up two holes further down on the tensioner - you can then place an appropriatly sized nail or drill bit throughthe holes locking it in place. The belt will then be lose and you can play with all the pullys to see which is not running smoothly

 

good luck

[adrianf.]

I had to remove the tensioner when I replaced the alternator and its not a bad job

 

you could try releasing the tensioner and locking it in position which would then enable you to check all the pullys to see which one is the trouble

 

i used an open ended spanner on the metal block on the top of the tensioner and pulling it towards you you can line up two holes further down on the tensioner - you can then place an appropriatly sized nail or drill bit throughthe holes locking it in place. The belt will then be lose and you can play with all the pullys to see which is not running smoothly

 

good luck

Cheers just gave that a try and all a running free and smooth but i cant reach the very bottom one.

Just checked the PAS fluid and is a bit low so going to get a bottle and top it up a bit

Should this fault with the steering have hapened over a period of time because it happend instantly this morning.

[Dave-G]

If it helps adrian - you are going through all of the things I did - apart from locking the tensioner.

 

Problem is the dealer may now have got a tensioner in stock for you instead of a pulley/bearing. You might want to give them a call regarding your findings and have that done instead, Or cancel the work and do the job yourself after buying the tool.

 

The car will remain driveable throughout this period. to confirm this - Just get someone to apply a touch of throttle while you watch the tensioner - it will stop wobbling at about 900 rpm, and your steering will be smooth.