Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Now I Know Why Belt Tensioner Stops Break...

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by minsanity, Jul 15, 2013.

  1. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    We've seen so many cable type stops break, so Alta, Way & perhaps others have come out w/ a neatly designed slotted stainless plate stop. This post isn't to say anything negative about any of those products. This is just to share w/ everyone why these stops fail in some but work in others.....
    Pictured below is the result of a DEAD TENSIONER DAMPER in my very good friend's R53. The stop was put in a few days ago. It rattled randomly. Obviously, it was no match to the stress caused by the rapid vibration & movement of the tensioner w/ a DEAD DAMPER. So please CHECK YOUR DAMPERS, guys!
    961359D8-6286-4915-8506-AFF7FCB2B187-744-0000006F638492DA_zpse6934512.jpg

    Hope that Stab-O-Shoc damper can be sourced separately....Unfortunately not. Or better, STABILUS should make a more durable one available.
    So, out of necessity, frustration & curiosity, that same buddy (min68 on here) fabricated in his shop a manual adjust tensioner (much like Alta's, I suppose) from stainless parts laying around. Wish I had his skills. As a result, engine runs way smoother, feels more responsive, & drives tons better. Please note car is a daily driver & sees no track. Pic of his handiwork below:

    29DB68FA-0B93-49F8-8A82-E1FA7A737A1C-1927-0000010F07C4B2D7_zpsca8e28cc.jpg
     
  2. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Wow......I would not have thought about that kind of damage from that style of stop. I have the old solid type like that one from a vendor in Fla (forget the name). I will have to check and see if it has the same kind of wear potential. I did replace a bad tensioner at the same time so it will be interesting to see if I have the same problem.
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I'm pretty amazed that the stop only lasted days. Guess the damper was beyond bad.
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    That "ALTA Style" tensioner will not dampen anything or self adjust at all.

    I would not recommend using it.
     
  5. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Well done on fabricating the manual tensioner... Kind of looks like a sway bar link....

    Heh Heh.... Or maybe a rear MINI adjustable camber arm....:D
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Unless one is vigilant with those manual tensioners they do nothing.

    Neat idea, but in execution it just doesn't do the job for long at all.
     
  7. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    As the belt stretches, the tension is removed, the belt starts slipping... Then another manual adjustment is required... The process repeats...
     
  8. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    #8 minsanity, Jul 15, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2013
    True. Periodic tensioner adjustment is needed w/c isn't really difficult. There have been long term reviews elsewhere that have been pretty positive & hassle free. Again, car doesn't do any track time....Devil or Deep Blue Sea? We'll see.
     
  9. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Still.... Nice work...:D
     
  10. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    In min68's behalf, thanks, metalman. His OCD tendencies have been positively channeled thru DIY modding his mini. Here's another of his recent downtime projects, the longer tensioner tool. Pic was taken before he had it powder coated black.
    25C9919D-66CA-4586-8EE7-A76E10D76A3D-260-00000015ABAE46AD_zps7a461193.jpg
     
  11. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    I know some makes like Mazda. GM, Ford, even Subaru have eliminated the belt tensioner & have been using stretchfit self-tensioning belts. Would anyone know if Gates or Continental has some that would fit our cars? & who sells em? This + that manual adjust tensioner would be the ideal worry-free replacement for our weak tensioner dampers. What do you think, guys?
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Great idea......but it appears that a special pulley is needed to accept the installation parts just to get the belt on. Maybe someone could develope a system for the MINI, but I doubt it.....:frown5:

    As much bouncing around the tensioner does with a bad or failing damper, maybe simply getting a stronger spring would help more?
     
  13. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    That's another brilliant idea, Scott, but won't a stronger spring overtighten the serpentine belt? Come to think of it, not all have dampers in their spring loaded tensioners. And, not all cars w/ stretchfit belts need that special tool. Some can fit by a slight spin of the pulley. These approaches I might wanna try.
     
  14. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    For a while there, got a lil dense. If anyone can point to stretchfit 6PK1388 & 6PK1374 belts, we shouldn't need that stretchfit tool as we can slacken our tensioners w/ the manual adjust 1, put in the belt, tighten it & let the belt do its thing. Good bye damper.....Did some search on Goodyear & Gates but wasn't able to see anything definite. Any help is most welcome.
     
  15. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

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    Actually we came out with a new design about 8 months ago. We saw so many broken tensioner stops the cost to warranty them was killing us. So this design I had though up about 6 year ago I put into production. The WMW tensioner stop was born.
    [​IMG]


    As you can see it bolts on both ends and has a slot to allow the tensioner to do it's job and change tension based on load. But if the belt breaks it will slide and stop catching it before causing more damage.

    Also we've seen a huge increase in worn out and broken bushings on the tensioner shocks so we made our own delrin WMW tensioner bushings.
    [​IMG]
     
  16. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Oh, now that looks like the one I have.
     
  17. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    The stops aren't the main issue here. Though it'll be good to have 1 that doesn't break. It's the DAMPER that fails. Again, it would be of great service to the community if someone could find those Stretchfit belts to pair w/ the Alta type adjustable tensioner stop for our MINIs.
     
  18. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Is there room to mount one of these adjustable bad boys where the old damper sits? Pricey but pretty....

    [​IMG]
     
  19. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Sick! Dimensions, metalman?
     
  20. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Moar info....

    [​IMG]

    Different sizes... Maybe contact Ohlins USA
    Others make steering dampers for motorcycles... Not all are adjustable... Ohlins is the good stuff...

    On the Ohlins (my first picture), notice how the two heim joints (Rose Joints for Brits) can be adjusted.... Makes it easier for fitment... The one above is non adjustable on the joints but fully adjustable on the damping....

    [​IMG]
     

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