ZD30 Belt Tensioner

[Delta84]

Good Afternoon All,

Long time lurker, and finally have decided to join the forums. I shall make another post about myself and my Rig in the introductions section shortly.

At the moment i'm in a bit of a pickle. I went to change the drive belt on the the motor this morning, failed, and now have gone from a patrol that squeals a lil bit on first start, to a never ending squeal. I managed to get the Radiator Shroud and Fan out without making myself bleed,(ill have to check, but it might be a first), but when I went to loosen the tensioner, she was stuck fast. I'm thinking i managed to make it budge ever so slightly, hence the now constant squeal.

I rang around the parts stores, and they are all wanting $430 or more for the assembley. Being financially challenged at present, I was wondering if it is possible to just change the actual tensioner itself.

I looked on ebay, and the store here, and they do list this part,

Link for reference
http://www.patrolapart.com.au/product/belts-and-tensioners/nissan-patrol-genuine-drive-belt-tensioner-zd30/

Is it ok to just change out this, and how much of a pain are the 2 bolts on it? One looks like a normal bolt, but the other appears to have a require some other kind of tool to undo it. (im not hugely mechanically inclined, but i'm not scared to have a go myself).
Does the whole assembly need to come off the car, or can i swap it over while the rest is on the motor?

Any advice muchly appreciated.

Delta

[macca86]

http://www.atocauto.com.au/Products.asp?cat=138

Only use genuine fan belts on your zd30 I put on a gates belt lasted 3 months before it started squealing put in a genuine belt all good again. I've ordered from these guys and they were good. You nay as well get the belt absolutely who me assembly at these prices. Do it right first time

[threedogs]

I brought a tensioner and pulley assy from 4WD one for $100,
I'll see if I can find the link, there cheaper than I thought
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261330332820?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

only in the patrol to get me mobile again

@ Macca thanks for the heads up on the belt, I do carry a spare but not OE
again only to get me mobile

[BillsGU]

Macca is right. I have tried a couple of belts (not ebay cheapies either!) and they all squeal. Don't know what it is about a genuine belt but they don't squeal. You can get the belt off and back on without taking the shroud off. I use a 19mm (3/4 inch) ring spanner on the adjuster nut and hold it back with a ratchet strap wrapped around the front passenger side wheel. It works well and saves heaps of time. I bought a cheapie tensioner and it has worked well for a couple of years (I did put an up market bearing in it though).

[mudski]

I brought a tensioner and pulley assy from 4WD one for $100,
I'll see if I can find the link, there cheaper than I thought
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261330332820?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

only in the patrol to get me mobile again

@ Macca thanks for the heads up on the belt, I do carry a spare but not OE
again only to get me mobile

I bought the same tensioner from where they buy them from in China to give it a test run before I decide to stock them. It lasted just under six months and the shocker blew spewing the oil all over a new belt :(
To my surprise the bearing in the pulley was still good. I was sure that would go first.

[Delta84]

Update Time.

Had a mate come round, and he has confirmed that the tensioner is shot. However, being that it is as jammed up as it is, we managed to but enough tension back on it, that it no longer squeals. Will be ordering a replacement as soon as possible.

Thank you all very much for the advice, and I hope to return the favour sometime.

[mudski]

I'd like to add though. Most say use only OEM belts. I agree to a point. I have now on my car a Gates belt, been on it for some time now, since the OEM belt got covered in oil. Still going great. Bug it all depends on conditions etc etc to whether the belt will last or not. I used to rep for Gates a few years back. I would never doubt their belts and hoses.

[threedogs]

Gates make great OE replacement belts and hoses from my experience.
AS I said its only to get me mobile again, [tensioner]

[macca86]

Shame my gates belt only lasted 3 months before it squealed. And paid $80 from autobarn where I found that place my link is to and paid $55 fir genuine had it on for a year no problems. Before I sold the car.

[threedogs]

maybe I can replace the bearing in this tensioner to a better type of bearing,
and maybe re build the piston itself , from memory Ferret did something with one