How to install belt tensioners on 3116 Cat

February 28, 2013, 03:27:10 pm

I removed the belt tensioners on my 1994 U-240 w/3116 Caterpillar in order to replace the bearings in the pulleys. While I was at it, I drilled a new hole in the bracket that positions the tensioner for the hydraulic pump. I did this on the advice of Brett Wolfe to relieve some of tension on the hydraulic pump. I just received the replacement pulleys, and all was well until I started trying to reinstall them.

Is there some trick to reinstalling the pulleys? In order to line up the holes and pins I must move the tensioning arm. That's one strong spring!! How do I reinstall the pulleys?

By the way, the new hole I drilled has nothing to do with this problem. It doesn't matter whether I use the original hole or the new hole, the tensioner hits the crank pulley unless I can move it out of the way.

Glen

Re: How to install belt tensioners on 3116 Cat

Reply #1 – February 28, 2013, 05:41:44 pm

Glen,

Suspect you are talking about the belt tensioner for the hydraulic pump. That short belt and only two pulleys does make getting the belt on a challenge.

Loosen the tensioner center bolt just enough that you can get the detent out of the hole. Install the belt. I then use a large pair of water pump pliers to rotate the tensioner enough to engage the detent. You could also use a pipe wrench.

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