1st Gen R53 Cooper S BREAKING News on ALTA Adjustable Tensioner Stop

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by minsanity, Mar 26, 2014.

  1. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Just buy a new tensioner from Amazon. All those tensioner stops are crap and the ALTA one is just an adjustable end link.

    See post #2

    Tensioners wear out and do not last for ever just like belts, tire's and brake pads.
     
  2. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    True, being a stressed moving part, it's expected of em to see expiry....I'm just in search for something that, theoretically, should extend its service life w/o the need for manual adjustments like the new cars now. No tensioner, just Stretch Belts.
    BMW has left this flawed part unupdated....might as well explore better options w/ my GP(guinea pig).:)...but I just need a hand searching for the proper equivalent Stretch Belt for us. Anyone????
    Thanks.:)
     
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    My suggestion...run a VERY tight belt....I always ran a 532 after I did my 17% reduction....very tight...but it worked fine...and got 100,000 miles and 10 years on the OEM factory unit....could rev it, and watch...very little movement on the tension...it was just there for the ride....
     
  4. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    That's an idea there....Thanks, Zip.:)
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #25 Dave.0, Sep 12, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2016
    I have always run a gates 535 belt on my MINI with a 15%.
     
  6. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Astroboy from minitorque seems to have good success w/ his turnbuckle.:)
    17edab5d5e6ea74f5ab3420cfe735939_zps2wb4ye69.jpg
     
  7. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #27 Dave.0, Sep 12, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2016
    Not a good idea because it needs to be able to flex and absorb shock. That's why they have a little "Shock" on the OEM on.

    The strong spring is the tensioner and the shock is the damper portion.

    Just think how silly it would be to drive your car with just springs and solid shocks.....:idea::lol::lol:


    That is really no different than the ALTA one, and you know what they say about ALTA.

    It Alta fit and work but it doesn't. :mad2:

    Just look at it and figure out how the Spring is going to compress and expand with a solid knock-off White line end link in the way?

    That would only work if you had two smurfs under the hood constantly adjusting the end link as you drive.

    Here you go, use these while you drive and it may work.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    What happened to smurf #1?:D
     
  9. TexasChiliS

    TexasChiliS Well-Known Member

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    He's holding the duct tape
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    He is on LXM
     
  11. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Hahaha....was just sharing that something w/o the Alta badge worked.....like old school.:D
     

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