LBZ: OEM GM Belt Tensioner Help

[southco]

Hoping someone can help. I'm in the process of changing the belt tensioner, belt and idler pulleys. All the parts are GM OEM and bought from a dealer. The part numbers:

Idler Pulleys 98057284
Belt 98035628
Belt tensioner 98094201

Everything seems fine except the belt tensioner. The original part is part number 97329062. The new tensioner is not as thick as the old so the bolt bottoms out before the tensioner is even snug against the block. Anybody else have this problem?

 

[Hot COCOAL]

That's obviously not the right tensioner...take it back

 

[ikeG]

It could be a redesigned part. The important part is whether it keeps the pulley in line with the others. If your tensioner part is still good, you can just replace the pulley with a NAPA one. I replace the two smooth idlers and the tensioner ribbed pulley all the time with NAPA parts.

 

[Hot COCOAL]

It could be a redesigned part. The important part is whether it keeps the pulley in line with the others. If your tensioner part is still good, you can just replace the pulley with a NAPA one. I replace the two smooth idlers and the tensioner ribbed pulley all the time with NAPA parts.

Deminsionally, it's pretty obvious that the new part WILL NOT keep the belt in alignment with the other pulleys

 

[southco]

I'm checking with the dealer tomorrow. I'll post up what I find out.

 

[TheBac]

Looks to me that the spring housing is the same size, just the arm is thinner.
RED dimension = GREEN dimension = distance difference in ORANGE
Simply go buy a 10mm shorter bolt.

 

[Hot COCOAL]

Looks to me that the spring housing is the same size, just the arm is thinner. Simply go buy a shorter bolt.

Tom, this is just my thought here...he bought the part at the dealer, if it was a revised part, intended to work with a shorter bolt, wouldn't you think the proper bolt would be supplied? And, it also looks like the positioning tab on the new part is smaller as well...I'd be leary of the new tensioner not providing the proper tension...and I'd definitely be asking the dealer about it first...that's just me tho...

 

[ikeG]

Deminsionally, it's pretty obvious that the new part WILL NOT keep the belt in alignment with the other pulleys

At a quick glance you appear to be right but if you study it closely, it seems the difference that the shorter 'hub' makes is offset by the pulley being tight against the tensioner arm.

 

[southco]

From my measurements, the pulley to the engine block mounting surface are the same. The shorter 'hub'on the new part is offset by the thinner arm holding the pulley. It seams only a shorter bolt is needed. Dealer had my vin and truck info. Curious to see what they say...

I'm surprised no other LBZ owners have changed the belt, pulleys and tensioner recently... I can't be the only one?

 

[TheBac]

Looks like bolt part number is 11611131. I couldnt find the bolt size anywhere.

 

[LBZ]

From my measurements, the pulley to the engine block mounting surface are the same. The shorter 'hub'on the new part is offset by the thinner arm holding the pulley. It seams only a shorter bolt is needed. Dealer had my vin and truck info. Curious to see what they say...

I'm surprised no other LBZ owners have changed the belt, pulleys and tensioner recently... I can't be the only one?

I recently replaced all the pulleys and tensioners for my lbz but I bought all ac delco from rockauto. I didn't notice any difference in their fit from the original tensioners.

 

[c20elephant]

Use a straight edge on the mounting surface which is at the top of tensioner in the picture, that'll change everything and it will all line up.

Edit: Be sure the bolt shank is not protruding past the end of the mounting surface of the tensioner housing and stopping the bolt. I just checked an LMM bracket, the bolt hole goes completely through the bracket but not the threads....
=
=
=

=
=

 

[southco]

I recently replaced all the pulleys and tensioners for my lbz but I bought all ac delco from rockauto. I didn't notice any difference in their fit from the original tensioners.

Can u post part numbers pls? Thanks. OEM ac delco parts are what I bought as well...

 

[Hot COCOAL]

From my measurements, the pulley to the engine block mounting surface are the same. The shorter 'hub'on the new part is offset by the thinner arm holding the pulley. It seams only a shorter bolt is needed. Dealer had my vin and truck info. Curious to see what they say...

I'm surprised no other LBZ owners have changed the belt, pulleys and tensioner recently... I can't be the only one?

Can u post part numbers pls? Thanks. OEM ac delco parts are what I bought as well...

I have replaced the belt tensioner, and the part I got from the dealer was IDENTICAL to the OEM part that came off...and did not require me to use a shorter/different bolt

its difficult to read in place, but it looks like the PN on my replacement tensioner is on the face side front of the arm and is: 98094201

 

[OregonDMAX]

My tensioner was in good shape so i only got the tensioner pulley and the "OEM tensioner pulley" I got from GM was a "updated" part # from the one I gave them and the pulley threw my belt twice in only 15 miles. The one I got didn't have the tall lips on the side of the pulley. So keep that in mind when you get it all together. Chances are if they gave you that "updated" tensioner assembly it probably has that gawd awful pulley on it too.

 

[southco]

Thanks for the responses. No resolution yet. OregonDMAX, what did u do about the new pulley?

 

[OregonDMAX]

I just got a pulley the same dimensions as tue OEM one from rockauto that fit my application that had tall sides in the picture and crossed my fingers it would be the same as the picture.

 

[LBZ]

Can u post part numbers pls? Thanks. OEM ac delco parts are what I bought as well...

I'll have to go through my emails and try and find numbers for the tensioner and pulleys when I get a chance. Don't have the boxes anymore.

 

[southco]

I'll have to go through my emails and try and find numbers for the tensioner and pulleys when I get a chance. Don't have the boxes anymore.

Oh that's alright. I just meant if u had them handy. I'm getting the part back to the dealer to see what they say.

 

[LBZ]

Oh that's alright. I just meant if u had them handy. I'm getting the part back to the dealer to see what they say.

Bring them both and ask them wtf?