SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Belt Tension /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1279564397 Message started by Jimmer on 07/19/10 at 11:33:17

Title: Belt Tension Post by Jimmer on 07/19/10 at 11:33:17 What's the rule of thumb for this tension. One should be able to turn the belt at a 90 degree angle on the bottom of the drive belt . Is this right?

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by babyhog on 07/19/10 at 12:09:56 That's what I've always heard

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by buttgoat1 on 07/19/10 at 17:52:31 I think the trick is turn it 90deg with moderate pressure. I aligned my whee, tightened the belt, twisted the belt and it was too tight made some strange noises when it rolled, backed off a bit and it was fine.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by james may on 07/19/10 at 19:14:25 You don't have the belt tension tester tool that comes in the savage tool bag?  it's in a black bag behind the silver cover that you open with a key.  If it's between the two lines when held between the tension tab and the belt.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by verslagen1 on 07/19/10 at 19:26:09 5B5A414A5D5B565F4A2F0 wrote: You don't have the belt tension tester tool that comes in the savage tool bag?  it's in a black bag behind the silver cover that you open with a key.  If it's between the two lines when held between the tension tab and the belt. Now take that and throw it in the ocean.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by BurnPgh on 07/19/10 at 20:12:55 32213637282523212A75440 wrote: [quote author=5B5A414A5D5B565F4A2F0 link=1279564397/0#3 date=1279592065]You don't have the belt tension tester tool that comes in the savage tool bag?  it's in a black bag behind the silver cover that you open with a key.  If it's between the two lines when held between the tension tab and the belt. Now take that and throw it in the ocean.[/quote] +1. Using the tension tool will set you up with a belt thats too tight. On the bottom, in the middle between the pulleys it should indeed reach 90* when twisted with moderate pressue.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/19/10 at 23:09:33 Its not just a rule of thumb. Its more like, a rule of thumb & forefinger

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by Jimmer on 07/20/10 at 05:15:49 Already got that great tensioner tool out of the tool bag, what a waste. Thanks for the help, everyone.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by Charon on 07/20/10 at 05:41:45 Instead of throwing away the tensioner tool, add a mark to it. Get the belt to the tension you like, insert the tensioner tool, and scribe another mark on it. That way you will have a repeatable way to tension the belt the way you like it the next time. When I experimented with mine, I discovered that the difference between the 90-degree twist and the Suzuki tension tool was less than one turn of the belt adjusting bolts. Depending on the strength of your thumb and forefinger, your results may differ.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by ralfyguy on 07/20/10 at 18:10:00 79525B4855543A0 wrote: Instead of throwing away the tensioner tool, add a mark to it. Get the belt to the tension you like, insert the tensioner tool, and scribe another mark on it. That way you will have a repeatable way to tension the belt the way you like it the next time. When I experimented with mine, I discovered that the difference between the 90-degree twist and the Suzuki tension tool was less than one turn of the belt adjusting bolts. Depending on the strength of your thumb and forefinger, your results may differ. That's what I always wondered about how much difference there is.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by Phelonius on 07/21/10 at 09:25:10 Mine doesn't get tense. I keep it in the garage on a shelf. Phelonius ;D ;D

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by Digger on 07/23/10 at 21:36:53 58737A6974751B0 wrote: Instead of throwing away the tensioner tool, add a mark to it. Get the belt to the tension you like, insert the tensioner tool, and scribe another mark on it. That way you will have a repeatable way to tension the belt the way you like it the next time. When I experimented with mine, I discovered that the difference between the 90-degree twist and the Suzuki tension tool was less than one turn of the belt adjusting bolts. Depending on the strength of your thumb and forefinger, your results may differ. Good words from Charon, as usual. Here is my experience with the tool: If you insist on using the belt gauge, don't set the belt any tighter than this: http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/BeltTensionGaugeE.jpg Actually, the gauge should be positioned such that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the belt.  Mine is set a little off of the perpendicular in the above photo. Currently, the belt on my Savage (see signature) is a tad too tight (I can rotate the belt about 85 degrees).  If the gauge in the picture were set perfectly at the perpendicular, it would indicate a bit tighter than it does in the photo.  I figure my slightly over-tight belt cancels out the slight mispositioning of the tension gauge, soooo..... Bottom line?  Don't use the gauge, set your belt tension via the twist method.  If you insist on using the gauge, set the belt tension no tighter than what you see on the above photo. YMMV!

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by PhilM on 07/25/10 at 00:51:13 Mine still squeaked a little bit after I adjusted it using the 90 degree test. I backed off the adjuster bolts a further 1/2  turn and that nailed it.

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/25/10 at 01:40:52 I think Im gettin a tension headache

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by BuckHMCC on 07/25/10 at 06:20:18 Interesting thread --What's the problem with adjusting the belt with the supplied tool and following Suzuki's instructions? I set mine on the middle mark scribed on the tool. All seems well. Do you believe that the Suzuki engineers didn't consult with the Banjo (belt) engineers as to the correct tension? Or that the Banjo engineers don't understand their own belt?

Title: Re: Belt Tension Post by Charon on 07/25/10 at 07:20:21 The tension tool supplied by Suzuki has three marks engraved on it, and Suzuki says to set belt tension to the middle mark. I am reasonably sure Suzuki asked for and got advice from Bando during the design phase, and I am reasonably sure Suzuki is capable of properly designing the belt tensioning tool. I am also reasonably sure that setting the belt tension as Suzuki suggests will result in long and reliable service. But the belt sometimes squeaks. Some have found that loosening it reduces or eliminates the squeak, and I think that is the basis for the "90-degree twist" method of setting it. Some have suggested various lubricants to eliminate the squeak, bearing in mind it is a "rubber" belt and petroleum products are not kind to rubber. Some have suggested techniques for aligning the rear wheel (and belt pulley) to eliminate the squeak. Mine, however, squeaks from the outboard side of the drive pulley, and I cannot see a way to adjust its alignment short of loosening all the engine mounting bolts and attempting to move the engine. So, I use a product by Dupont called "Teflon Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant." I spray it on the edge of the belt and it lasts for a while. It can be found in Ace Hardware stores (or could, last time I looked) and has the UPC of 36121 19157. Fortunately for me, the belt squeak is a high-pitched sound. Ear plugs work remarkably well against high-pitched sounds. I wear ear plugs anyway, because of wind noise. Thus, I barely hear the squeak even when it occurs. Perhaps the belt squeak will serve as a substitute for the farcical "Loud pipes save lives."

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