I've got a 98 Mustang GT w/ the revised tensioner & bracket. I was just wondering though.. is there any special tool to get the belt off & on? I've only done it once myself & it was a real bitch to do. It had the old tensioner & bracket on before... but still. Is there a special tool offered by Ford or something?
-Mike
I can't recall the tensioner exactly..... there will either be a square hole that will fit either 1/2" or 3/8" socket handle or you simply put a wrench on the bolt holding the pulley. If there is no provision for the socket handle, the threads on the pulley bolt will be left hand....
HTH
On the tensioner there is a 3/8" square hole. Use this and a 3/8" breaker bar to retract the tensioner.
There is also a tang of spring steel on the side of the tensioner. When you have the tensioner fully retracted, push this in and slowly release the tensioner. The tang will hold the tensioner retracted while you change belts. When you've got the new belt in place, just retract the tensioner slightly and the tang will auto release.
LJH
95GT
Very cool. Thanks. I knew about the breaker bar.. had to use one before when I changed the alternator.. didn't know about the "tang of spring steel" as you like to say.
-Mike
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