Replace Belt Tensioner

[en_shua]

My 99 Durango is starting to get real chatty around the drivebelt. I went to a mechanic, and they played with it a bit, and said that the drivebelt tensioner was practically dead. He said it moves, but I did not watch them. I have some questions, and hope that someone can help.

1) I assume that it's common for these to wear out in time. After all, the D has 171,000 miles on it.
2) Is it relatively easy to replace? Do I just take the belt off, then unbolt the tensioner, then bolt on the new one?
3) On AutoZone.com, I found a DAYCO Belt Tensioner for a 1999 Dodge Truck Durango 4WD for $62.99 (part number 305215). Is that a good price, or should I order elsewhere?

Thanks in advance.

[jmaack727]

ive heard they can get stuck, might wanna see if you can free it, but as for replacing it i cant help ya there sorry

[IndyDurango]

Replacing the pully is common. Get it fixed or do it yourself and enjoy the lack of noise.

IndyDurango

[en_shua]

Thanks guys. I went out to a local auto parts place and picked up a Dayco assembly and a new belt. Total, like $90. Replacing the assembly was a bit tricky, but I was able to do it in about half an hour (would have been quicker if the engine was already cooled off). Basically, after removing the belt, I had a relay or something to remove on the left-hand side so I could reach to where the nut was that was holding the assembly to the assembly bracket. Unscrew, remove assembly, insert new assembly, tighten nut, reinstall the relay, attach new belt. Done.

The mechanic wanted to charge me close to $300 to replace it, so I'm glad so far that I did it myself.

Indy...thanks for posting those pages.

[IndyDurango]

Originally Posted by en_shua

Thanks guys. I went out to a local auto parts place and picked up a Dayco assembly and a new belt. Total, like $90. Replacing the assembly was a bit tricky, but I was able to do it in about half an hour (would have been quicker if the engine was already cooled off). Basically, after removing the belt, I had a relay or something to remove on the left-hand side so I could reach to where the nut was that was holding the assembly to the assembly bracket. Unscrew, remove assembly, insert new assembly, tighten nut, reinstall the relay, attach new belt. Done.

The mechanic wanted to charge me close to $300 to replace it, so I'm glad so far that I did it myself.

Indy...thanks for posting those pages.

No problem. Did they seem to follow along with what you had to do?

Congrats on saving the extra $210. Looks like someone is buying the beer this weekend!



IndyDurango

[en_shua]

The attachments you posted pretty much went with what I did. I think they had one removing the entirfe assembly in order to remove the tensioner, and I chose not to do that.

I've still got a weird noise definitely coming from the belt area (the noise gets louder/faster when I rev the engine), but will take it to the same mechanic tomorrow. Maybe I can get them to tell me again what's wrong and I'll fix it myself. I'm hoping that maybe the belt is too tight or something.