Belt tensioner bending/ breaking problem with newer A&A kit with an YSi
06-11-2010, 07:09 AM
#61
Tech Contributor
06-11-2010, 08:41 AM
#62
Le Mans Master
A&A sent me a new one when broke
I honestly have no idea why, all of a sudden, we have a couple of guys breaking tensioners.
While it's only a couple and only those pushing big horsepower, it got my attention.
We have over a thousand supercharger kits and hundreds of 8 rib setups running this tensioner without any issues.
I talked to the engineers at Gates and they also have no idea, as no changes have been made to the tensioners.
Anyway, I spent most of the week making a new bracket that will take care of any future issues.
It uses a stronger tensioner, changes the angle of the tensioner and allows belt changes without removing the blower.
It's something I've been I've been playing with for a while, but when I heard that we had a couple of failures I made a concerted effort to get it finished.
I put one on my car today with a YSI.
While it's only a couple and only those pushing big horsepower, it got my attention.
We have over a thousand supercharger kits and hundreds of 8 rib setups running this tensioner without any issues.
I talked to the engineers at Gates and they also have no idea, as no changes have been made to the tensioners.
Anyway, I spent most of the week making a new bracket that will take care of any future issues.
It uses a stronger tensioner, changes the angle of the tensioner and allows belt changes without removing the blower.
It's something I've been I've been playing with for a while, but when I heard that we had a couple of failures I made a concerted effort to get it finished.
I put one on my car today with a YSI.
but Andy stood up and helped me with the parts i needed
and never blamed me great service
06-12-2010, 03:26 PM
#63
Tech Contributor
I honestly have no idea why, all of a sudden, we have a couple of guys breaking tensioners.
While it's only a couple and only those pushing big horsepower, it got my attention.
We have over a thousand supercharger kits and hundreds of 8 rib setups running this tensioner without any issues.
I talked to the engineers at Gates and they also have no idea, as no changes have been made to the tensioners.
Anyway, I spent most of the week making a new bracket that will take care of any future issues.
It uses a stronger tensioner, changes the angle of the tensioner and allows belt changes without removing the blower.
It's something I've been I've been playing with for a while, but when I heard that we had a couple of failures I made a concerted effort to get it finished.
I put one on my car today with a YSI.
While it's only a couple and only those pushing big horsepower, it got my attention.
We have over a thousand supercharger kits and hundreds of 8 rib setups running this tensioner without any issues.
I talked to the engineers at Gates and they also have no idea, as no changes have been made to the tensioners.
Anyway, I spent most of the week making a new bracket that will take care of any future issues.
It uses a stronger tensioner, changes the angle of the tensioner and allows belt changes without removing the blower.
It's something I've been I've been playing with for a while, but when I heard that we had a couple of failures I made a concerted effort to get it finished.
I put one on my car today with a YSI.
10-12-2015, 02:12 PM
#64
hate to bump an ancient thread but I just went through this with a Gen1 version of this A&A bracket and thought I'd put a few of my thoughts down for anyone else to maybe be helpful
1. if you have this old bracket, my first recommendation would be to upgrade to the new A&A or an ECS style bracket. doing belt swaps on this old bracket is a nightmare and there is a reason all the new brackets look completely different than this one. Installing the whole bracket and getting it all lined up and fitting well in the car with the blower on it is a huge PITA.
2. my setup required a new belt for some reason when I swapped to this tensioner I'm pretty sure just due to the way it sits and the throw of the arm is different. I haven't gotten it installed because of this but I'm guessing it will need another couple inches longer belt.
3. drilling and tapping the bracket is SUPER easy and unless you never work on your car at all, this is an easy one day job.
4. while you have it all apart, highly recommend laser aligning it all with the Gates tool. my power steering and alternator were both about 1/2 rib off.
Andy and Josh customer service is A+ and I can't recommend them highly enough.
1. if you have this old bracket, my first recommendation would be to upgrade to the new A&A or an ECS style bracket. doing belt swaps on this old bracket is a nightmare and there is a reason all the new brackets look completely different than this one. Installing the whole bracket and getting it all lined up and fitting well in the car with the blower on it is a huge PITA.
2. my setup required a new belt for some reason when I swapped to this tensioner I'm pretty sure just due to the way it sits and the throw of the arm is different. I haven't gotten it installed because of this but I'm guessing it will need another couple inches longer belt.
3. drilling and tapping the bracket is SUPER easy and unless you never work on your car at all, this is an easy one day job.
4. while you have it all apart, highly recommend laser aligning it all with the Gates tool. my power steering and alternator were both about 1/2 rib off.
Andy and Josh customer service is A+ and I can't recommend them highly enough.
