dhawth9758

I just had to replace the serpentine belt in my 96 Thunderbird. I got the old belt off, new one on but need to know how to tighten it back up.

thefonz

I thought the 96 had an 'automatic tensioner'. Either the tensioner is bad, you have something routed wrong, or it is the wrong belt. (FWIW, the serpentine belt routing around the pulleys are usually smooth to smooth and ribbed to ribbed)

dhawth9758

I was planning on buying a new tensioner tomorrow anyway. I was thinking that when you begin to loosen the tensioner by the torx nut that it should relieve the tension but it did not. Was I unscrewing the correct nut?

thefonz

Wrong bolt!!! That one holds it on the engine. Look for a square notch llike the ratchet head would fit into. That is thejone to release tension. You'll feel it as it is spring loaded and gives constant tension.

dhawth9758

That is kind of what I expected to see but I did not see it. Is it on the front also?

91sleepr

there is a bolt the holds your pulley to the tensinor that is what takes the tension free on some cars

dhawthorne15

I saw that one but was a little scared to mess with it. I will give it a try.

dhawth9758

Wow...talk about feeling stupid So thats what that bolt is for!!! Thanks to everyone for your assistance.