How to Stretch a V-Belt
- Power down the system you're working with. Wait for the system to cool down completely. The rotating shafts of the...
- Remove any part of the system that is blocking you from accessing the V-belt. Consult your owner's manual if necessary.
- Slip your fingers or another object on the underside of the belt. Stretch upward to release the belt.
Full Answer
How do you measure the diameter of a V-belt?
Belts are NOT measured by diameter nor folding the belt in half. The most accurate way to measure the circumference of a v belt is with a v belt measuring tool or using a cloth tape measure (Not a steel tape measure or ruler). An additional option is to wrap a small diameter string/rope around the belt, then measure the length of the string.
How do you use a V-belt tensioner?
This tensioning method relies on a Pencil Gauge Tool and the mathematical standards laid out in this V-belt tensioning table. Measure the span length “K” of your drive (See Figure 1). the scale and slide the small O-ring up against the barrel of the gauge as shown in Figure 2. Place the large end of the tool onto the belt at the center of the span.
How do I know if my belt is stretchy?
If you see a belt on a late-model vehicle that does not have an automatic tensioner and runs between just two or three components, it’s probably a stretch belt. Some OE belts will have the words “stretchy” or “stretch” written on the back. These types of belts typically are used to drive the water pump, A/C compressor or power steering pump.
How can I make my belt last longer?
If you have the length, the simplest way to stretch the life of the belt (other than stretching the leather) is to punch another hole. Measure the spacing of the existing holes and mark where you wish to punch a new hole.
What is a stretch belt?
How long do stretch belts last?
How to install a water pump belt on a Mazda V6?
Why is my stretch belt so noisy?
Why does my belt slip?
What does "less belt" mean?
When inspecting a stretch belt, always measure the depths of the groove with an inspection tool?
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Can V belts stretch?
Industry experts generally agree that a well-designed, properly aligned and tensioned V-belt drive is most efficient — about 97% — when first installed (see box on efficiency). With time and use, the belts stretch, lose tension, and begin to slip in their sheaves.
How can I stretch my engine belt?
1:383:01Stretch Belt Removal and Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet it right there take your belt. Go ahead and run it on your other pulleys. And end with theMoreSet it right there take your belt. Go ahead and run it on your other pulleys. And end with the pulley that you're using the tool. On. Go and assist it and run it up just a little bit.
Can you stretch a Poly V belt?
Made of rubber or urethane, these belts allow for a certain amount of stretch but, PV elastic belts don't stretch as a rubber band does; their elongation capability is generally less than 4%.
How do you stretch a V belt with a pulley?
0:412:57How to install Stretch to fit belt - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you're gonna start seeing the belt. Go into place. And what you want to do to make sure thatMoreAnd you're gonna start seeing the belt. Go into place. And what you want to do to make sure that this doesn't move out down here in the bottom. Because there's gonna start.
How much can a belt stretch?
How much can a leather belt stretch? A leather belt can stretch up to 3 inches over its lifetime. In terms of percentage, a leather belt can (at max) stretch up to 5% of the length of the belt.
How do you install a tight V belt?
0:331:44V-Belt Installation - Grainger Workbench Ep. 13 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen installing your V belt. Make sure to move your motor in by loosening the mounting bolts to helpMoreWhen installing your V belt. Make sure to move your motor in by loosening the mounting bolts to help ensure that you're not placing any unnecessary tension.
How do you use a belt stretch tool?
0:201:44Lisle 59370 Stretch Belt Remover/Installer - Lisle CorporationYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition the tool so that the wedge-shaped removed side of the tool fits between the belt and pulleyMorePosition the tool so that the wedge-shaped removed side of the tool fits between the belt and pulley use a hand ratchet to turn the crankshaft in the direction that will rotate the pulley.Lisle 59370 Stretch Belt Remover/Installer - Lisle Corporationhttps://www.youtube.com › watchhttps://www.youtube.com › watch
Can stretch belts be reused?
Dismounting and reusing stretch belts is not recommended. A new belt should be installed anytime one is removed.Ela Poly-V Belts | Dayco Aftermarket Globalhttps://www.daycoaftermarket.com › product › elastic-pol...https://www.daycoaftermarket.com › product › elastic-pol...
What does a Poly V belt do?
Poly V belts combine the high flexibility of Flat belts with the first-rate power transmission of V belts. They enable economic solutions even under difficult drive conditions, such as large transmission ratios, high belt speed ratios, small pulley diameters and back idler pulleys.Poly V Drive Belts | TransDevhttps://www.transdev.co.uk › rubber-belts › poly-vee-driv...https://www.transdev.co.uk › rubber-belts › poly-vee-driv...
How do you use a belt stretch tool?
0:201:44Lisle 59370 Stretch Belt Remover/Installer - Lisle CorporationYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition the tool so that the wedge-shaped removed side of the tool fits between the belt and pulleyMorePosition the tool so that the wedge-shaped removed side of the tool fits between the belt and pulley use a hand ratchet to turn the crankshaft in the direction that will rotate the pulley.
How do you adjust an alternator belt?
0:001:00Alternator Belt Tightening Made Easy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm going to hold it right there that's the simplest way you can do is a 5/16 wrench. And then youMoreI'm going to hold it right there that's the simplest way you can do is a 5/16 wrench. And then you take you 1/2 1/2 inch you just tighten it up real tight.
Can you reuse a stretch belt?
0:501:41Remove and Install Stretch belt || Stretch Belt Hack - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not recommended to reuse an old stretch belt as they tend to lose tension with age.MoreIt's not recommended to reuse an old stretch belt as they tend to lose tension with age.
Can you stretch a lawn mower belt?
Yes! Over time a lawn mower belt can stretch, although breakage is more common.
What is a V belt?
Belting & Hose. A V-belt’s purpose is to transmit energy between two components. What makes a V-belt pulley stand out from other types of pulleys, such as a round belt or flat pulley, are the V-shaped grooves of the pulley; these grooves guide the belt and allow it to gain traction. The number one cause of a power transmission belt failure is ...
How to check belt tension?
Tap the belt, using the handle of a small tool or something similar, to make it vibrate for a reading. The meter will report the belt tension in units of force.
What is a ContiTech tension test tool?
ContiTech offers a high-quality tension testing tool. Designed for the tension testing of a drive with two or more belts, this pocket-sized tool measures V-belts from 10” to 170” and up to 35 pounds of tension. Measure belt span and measure the force required to deflect any one of the belts 1/64” for every inch of span length.
Why is my transmission belt not working?
The number one cause of a power transmission belt failure is improper tensioning. In order to ensure a long and efficient belt operation, you must properly learn how to tension a V-belt regularly. If they are too loose, there is slippage, rapid belt or sheave wear and, ultimately, loss of both energy and productivity.
What is a belt tension meter?
A Belt Tension Meter is a hand-held device that has two elements: an optical sensor and a meter. It is designed to detect the vibration of a belt using an infrared invisible beam and a light that allows you to aim it.
What happens if you put too much tension on a belt?
Conversely, if there is too much tension, the excess strain on the belts, bearings and shafts causes premature wear of these components . The proper tension is the lowest tension at which the belt won’t slip or squeal under peak load.
What tool is used to tension a V belt?
This tensioning method relies on a Pencil Gauge Tool and the mathematical standards laid out in this V-belt tensioning table.
How to measure a V belt?
Belts are NOT measured by diameter nor folding the belt in half. The most accurate way to measure the circumference of a v belt is with a v belt measuring tool or using a cloth tape measure (Not a steel tape measure or ruler). An additional option is to wrap a small diameter string/rope around the belt, ...
What is the outside circumference of a belt?
All sections 3L,3V,5V,8V,3VX,5VX belts have the outside circumference after the number and letter(s). Example: Belt # 3V600 has a 60" outside circumference. Inside circumference are not measured for these sections. This is also for the banded belts. Measure each individual band for banded belts to obtain the correct width.
Where is the circumference on a K belt?
All sections K micro rib belts will have the outside circumference in front of the letter. The rib count will be the number after the letter.
Do belts stretch?
Also, keep in mind belts do stretch and unfortunately there is no specific value for how much a belt can stretch. You'll also need to measure the width and depth to determine which section v belt you have.
How to stretch leather belt?
If you have the length, the simplest way to stretch the life of the belt (other than stretching the leather) is to punch another hole. Measure the spacing of the existing holes and mark where you wish to punch a new hole. Use a leather punch if you have one; otherwise, use a drill and drill bit for a perfect, round hole.
How to get rid of a belt?
As an alternative, mix a solution of three parts warm water to one part isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray the belt well, front and back, and put it on—a bit tight, if you can bear it. Wear it around the house until the belt has dried.
How to keep leather belt from drying out?
Use saddle soap, which will keep the belt from drying out and will condition it as well. Manufacturers usually advise against soaking the leather through, but you need to do so to stretch the belt. Wear it until the belt dries.
Can you use Kiwi shoe stretch?
If the above fails, you will require a shoe stretching chemical. The most readily available are from Kiwi, such as its Universal Shoe Stretch, for smooth and nap leathers. These products break down the collagen in leather, which lends living flesh its firmness and leather its sturdiness. You use these as you would the water/alcohol solution, spraying the belt front and back and wearing the belt until it dries, repeating as needed. Despite the volatile organic compounds in these products, they will not harm you in contact with your skin.
Does a belt shrink with constant use?
A belt should not shrink with constant use, but a conditioner will ensure that it maintains its length. Use a lanolin-based conditioner, which will not stain your clothing as an oil-based conditioner will.
Does leather stretch?
Leather does stretch; in fact, leather belts in machinery will stretch about 6 percent over the life of the belt. You likely have not noticed it, but a belt that you have worn for years has likely gained a percent or two in length; but if it is too small, you’ll need to stretch it more actively. Any stitching or boarding will inhibit stretching;
Do Lawn Mower Belts Stretch?
Yes! Over time a lawn mower belt can stretch, although breakage is more common. When used for long enough, as it’s placed under tension, the belt may become elongated to the point that it’ll no longer stay in place when installed on the pulleys.
Why Do Lawn Mower Belts Stretch?
You might be wondering whether there’s anything you could have done to stop your belt from stretching, so let’s look at the reasons why lawn mower belts stretch. There are a few things that come to mind here.
How to Tell Your Lawn Mower Belt Has Become Stretched
Before you go ahead and head to the store to buy a replacement belt for your lawn mower, you want to be sure that a stretched belt is the source of your problems.
Final Thoughts
Lawn mower belts are far more likely to snap or break than they are to stretch given how tightly the cords in a belt are wound. But they can and do sometimes stretch, and when that happens will need replacing.
What is a stretch belt?
Stretch belts are designed to stretch over one of the pulleys during installation, usually the crank or the largest pulley. Never use a screwdriver or other sharp object to install the belt because if the belt is cut or the surface or grooves of the pulleys are damaged, the belt will eventually fail. Advertisement.
How long do stretch belts last?
Stretch belts can last 100,000 miles or more , but this can vary dramatically depending on the vehicle’s environment and where it is mounted. This is why inspection is recommended — you cannot simply go by mileage recommendations.
How to install a water pump belt on a Mazda V6?
On smaller width stretch belts that are driven by the camshaft, like on some Ford and Mazda V6 water pump applications, you can use zip ties to install the belt. Simply zip tie the belt to the camshaft pulley and turn the engine until the belt is seated, then cut the tie. This method can also be used to keep some belts in place during installation.
Why is my stretch belt so noisy?
Poor alignment is the number one cause of belt noise and premature wear of stretch belts. If the pulleys have poor alignment, the belt will be worn on the edges and might look frayed. Alignment problems can stem from issues with shaft endplay in an A/C compressor, water pump or power steering pump.
Why does my belt slip?
The primary cause of slipping is material being removed from the belt’s grooves, not belt stretching. Over time, small debris and the interaction with the pulleys will wear the shoulders and valleys of the grooves. When the grooves become too shallow, the pulleys bottom out.
What does "less belt" mean?
Less belt means less tension with fewer noise and vibration problems. More stretch belts are hitting the market and may become the belt of choice as accessory drive components are removed from the front of the engine.
When inspecting a stretch belt, always measure the depths of the groove with an inspection tool?
When inspecting a stretch belt, always measure the depths of the groove with an inspection tool because the differences between a worn belt and a good belt can’t be seen or felt. The new materials used to make a stretch belt might crack or separate like older belts before the grooves are worn. Belt gauges are available from manufacturers and distributors, so check their websites or ask your distributor.