Tightened Belt Tensioner w/o Loosening Pulley Bolt

[DonQuiXJote]

Hi all, apologies for two threads in as many days. Long and short of it: 2000 4.0l. had squealing in the front after someone else put on a new belt. Worse when hot, better when cold. Figured belt was too loose. Didn't read as much as I should have before I tightened that long skinny sucker without loosening the pulley bolt at all, been driving it about a week in blissful squeal-less ignorance. Now reading that not loosening that before adjusting the tensioner is bad news for the threads. Is it the pulley threads or the adjuster threads that could be busted? How screwed am I? Should I leave it be or what? I'm now getting a little squealing every now and then and wanted to tighten it down a tad more, but don't want to dig myself into a deeper hole if I can avoid it. Any help much appreciated!

 

[Anak]

Take it apart and examine the threads.

 

[DonQuiXJote]

Take it apart and examine the threads.

Will do. Am I looking for damage on the pulley bolt threads or the tensioner threads? If it’s the pulley bolt I’m looking at, should I just pull it or reloosen the tensioner back to where it was first?

 

[Bent]

looking for damage on the pulley bolt threads or the tensioner threads?

Damage on the tensioner bolt threads, and the "follower" nut, as it were.

 

[Black1990jeep]

The stock adjuster nut is made of sintered powder metal, it can easily split, it aint strong. If it has failed, do as I did, buy some square stock of steel, and drill and tap to replicate the stock adjuster nut.

 

[RCP Phx]

Quadratec and Crown sell the individual parts!

 

[Jeep ride 2nd]

Quadratec and Crown sell the individual

 

[lawsoncl]

10 seconds with our dear friend google reveals....

Amazon.com

Dorman 917-951 | Accessory Drive Belt Idler Pulley Adjustment Bolt Kit (Vehicle Custom Fit)

Idler Pulley Adjuster Bolt Kit. <strong>Fits: </strong>1997-2002 Dodge Dakota, 1996-2001 Jeep Cherokee, 1997-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1997-2002 Jeep Wrangler. Fits: 96-01 Jeep Cherokee, 97-02 Dodge Dakota, 97-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 97-02 Jeep Wrangle

partshawk.com

OP - So long as the pinch bolt is tight, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ChillyB]

Ah! Maybe that explains how the entire housing on my new old 95 is cracked, and the fulcrum bolt head epoxied to the housing to keep it in place.

Gonna be fun when I need a belt...