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belt tension gauge

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  #1  
Old 01-30-2008 | 02:14 PM
jbum's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 188
From: SF Bay Area
Default belt tension gauge

I know I can go about an approximate tension test but I'd like to be more accurate.
Does anyone know where I can get a tension gauge for adjustment all my
belts?
 
  #2  
Old 01-30-2008 | 08:19 PM
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From: Houston, Texas
Default RE: belt tension gauge

I think this is an excellent question. The typical advice is simply to push the middle of the belt down with your finger and measure the distance that the belt moves. It seems to me that different people would get different outcomes for this completely subjective test. Unfortunately, I don't have a better answer.

At one point, I looked into purchasing this tool:

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Belt.../dp/B000I198J0

However, based on the high cost of this tool that I would infrequently use, I decided against the purchase.

 
  #3  
Old 01-30-2008 | 11:04 PM
jbum's Avatar
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Default RE: belt tension gauge

RonJ,

Thanks for your input. Yes, I always felt that going by feel could lead to overtightening or loosening of the tension. I wonder if professional mechanics use a tool or just wing it.
 
  #4  
Old 01-31-2008 | 05:11 AM
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Default RE: belt tension gauge

My guess would be that, through experience and training, professional mechanics can estimate proper tension by simply pushing on the belt.
 
  #5  
Old 01-31-2008 | 05:16 AM
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Default RE: belt tension gauge

What about THIS gauge? Good price and I'm sure it would do the trick:

Name:  belttensiongauge.jpg
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  #6  
Old 01-31-2008 | 06:29 AM
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From: Houston, Texas
Default RE: belt tension gauge

Do you or anyone you know have any experience using this tool? Does it work? Little information is provided about this pen-sized pocket tool at the e-bay link.
 
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