I had my r53 up on a lift the other day and I was checking it over and noticed the little hydraulic strut on the tensioner was a little leaky. Since I am going hard next week and changing everything (pulley, coolant, S/C fluid, and trans fluid should I :
A. buy and replace that little strut on the tensioner (can you?)
b. buy a whole new tensioner
c. by the alta bar that replaces that little strut thing

 

I'm fairly certain that you cannot purchase just the strut. You you have to purchase an all new tensioner. IMO I would stay away from the alta one.

 

Yes. You must replace the whole thing. My tensioner strut blew up, spewed crap all over the place, got on the belt, pulleys, everywhere. Dont let it happen to you, pita to clean up.
I'd also rec getting one of those tensioner stops if your going to be ripping it apart anyway, they're only like $20, and good insurance.

 

You have to buy the whole tensioner assembly. When you are there buy the bushings that way is selling and put it there. I put the powerflex before but it brokedown/shot after 4k miles.

 

is there an upgraded tensioner or a better tensioner I can get besides the one from mini? and whats the deal with the alta one? Everyone seems to be against it haha is it problematic

 

I think u can get the oem one for like 89-100 dollars. Brand if i remember it correctly is gates.

 

http://www.billswebspace.com/mini459.jpg

Rockauto.com

 

I just wanna make sure I get either a good one or a better than stock one

 

I got mine on Amazon, it was OEM and was a special price of $75 to my door. I bought it at the time even though mine was not broke yet the price was too good.