For the R53, I have seen a rollercoaster of opinions on the various tensioner stop designs, even some that have been discontinued, BUT have not seen any recent posts giving feedback on products that are currently available today.


I have a 15% pulley to install and don't yet have a stop identified to purchase.


If anyone knows of or can find a thread that already exists, please paste a copy for me please.


Otherwise, let the feedback begin!

 

Just inspect your belt regularly and change it yearly. No real need for a tensioner stop. And the 15% doesn't throw belts.

 

The WMW Tensioner Stop looks pretty solid (both literally and figuratively).

 

20.00 One from ALta is cool and easy to install

 

Over the years there has been a real evolution...from cable style Detroit Tuned units to the solid ones sold by WayMotorWorks....a few false starts...like the Alta ones that rattled...
My suggestion....
Get the current style like waymotorworks sells....it is cheap insurance...
$30 may save you $600+.
Regular belt changes can limit the risks...but if the tensioner itself fails...causing the belt to jump...the stop is your protection.....

 

I have the alta, wish I didn't because it's always rattling at idle.

 

I have the ALTA stop/adjuster. It's a little tough to get fine tuned but it was the most permanent solution I could find.

 

Most the belt tensioner failures are caused by the rubber bushings failing and coming apart. That is why we made our own delrin bushings. Most the time we just install them and don't even bother with a tensioner stop.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-sup...shing-set.html

 

We got the Alta plate type coz the cable stops break....but this happened to my buddy's:


So, we both switched to the adjustable 1, bushes were good. I wanted to pair it w/ a stretch-fit belt like the new tensioner-free cars, but couldn't find any available in our size. It worked very well for a while, until 1 long trip.... It broke the tensioner cast that holds the bolt on mine. Good thing the belt did not break. Just made a weird rattle. reason why:


After that, my good buddy & I measured up the Alta adjustable & made a couple of thicker plates. Now, I'm using that custom prototype made of stainless plate & bushes on the elongated slot that allow free tensioner play w/ bolts tightened. The bolt tightens on a 2pc. metal bush that sandwiches the plate on the elongated slot. This pic doesn't show the bushes:


I saw Way's, it must be of same principle. Get that.

 

Great thanks for the input!


I had a tensioner pulley seize up on me and the belt (with barely 3,000 miles on it) was shredded in a matter of seconds while I was driving.
Fortunately I had an old "cable" style stop that prevented major damage, although it was quite frayed, somehow 2 small strands kept me from disaster!

 

Hi Minsanity!
Question........

But The Alta Tensioner Stop Plate.
Help You To Prevent More Damage?

 

I'd go for WAYS style if I was to change mine from the alta.

 

The Alta just failed w/o the belt snapping. Talk about some false sense of mind peace. :(

 

I suggest tensioner damper health check & belt swaps as part of periodic maintenance. You won't need any of those stops.
The Alta adjustable is ideally paired w/ the newer Stretch-Fit belts......if anyone can source 1 of our fitment, I'd surely put it back in. That eliminates much of the tensioner worries.

 

For anyone wondering Gates makes the OEM tensioner and idler pulleys. You can get them pretty cheap on amazon and rock auto.

I had the old Alta metal one that rattled until it fell off, with the bolt from the strut and I had the Detroit tuned cable style that rusted and came apart. I'll just do the preventative maintenance from here on out. I'll probably start changing my tensioner every other year and maybe the idler as well. Along with yearly belt changes.

 

I replaced my oem tensioner with the gates about 8 months ago. I also installed the alta tensioner stop at the same time. About two weeks ago I started to have drive ability issues and noticed the rattle. I realigned the stop a couple times and no go. Apparently the shock was blown again and the tensioner stop was bent. Decided to install the alta adjustable tensioner stop and have had no issues since. I would recommend this over the crappy oem shock design.

 

Does anyone have the Way Motorworks style stop that they dont use? I'd be interested in buying it off you. Didn't have any luck with the Alta style.