Replacing belt tensioner on 3.3L engines

I am hoping to be able to change the belt tensioner the next time that
it needs it on my 3.3 in a Grand Voyager.

When they break, do they usually break right at the bolt? If they do,
is an *easy out* or some other tool to remove what remains of the
bolt.

As those of you that have 3.3L engines in the vans know, there is not
a lot of room to work. When I changed the belt this last time, I had
to use a 3/8" *breaker bar* with a 15MM socket. Luckily, it was enough
to give me the leverage that I needed, as my 1/2" breaker bar would
not fit with between the tensioner bolt and the fenderwell.

-KM

 

Assuming that the tensioner has always been mounted the same regardless of
year or model, (which involves a stud thru a bracket hole, with a nut on the
back side), then what happens is the stud breaks and the tensioner falls
off. At least, that's my experience with my older minivans.

 

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know. I would guess that this nut that
holds the tensioner in place is pretty hard to reach. Any suggestions
there?

-KM

 

I bought an offset box-end 15mm wrench just for belt-changing. I highly
recommend that. It's the only offset wrench I have, but I use it quite a
bit. The other end is a 13mm, so it fits a lot of stuff.

Sorry I can't answer you about breaking it. Mine didn't break.