1998 LeSabre Custom belt tensioner

Which way does the belt tensioner bolt turn to loosen the serpentine? Chilton's says "down," but doesn't say which side of the bolt you're on. They probably mean clockwise, but I'd hate to break the bolt.

I'm looking for a "clockwise" or "counterclockwise" answer. Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty is okay too, but in this case it might be reversed.

Thanks.

On my '87 it was left to un tension. Someone told me to un bolt it, just keep turning counterclockwise, well I twisted the darn thing off. It was a reverse threaded bolt, and to loosen the bolt one would turn it clockwise.
I think if you tried one way and the other, you would feel it untension long before you broke the bolt.

when standing on the passenger side, lefty loosy, or counterclockwise will do it. If you think about it for a moment, it can only logically lose tension by turning it that way.

On my '87 it was left to un tension. Someone told me to un bolt it, just keep turning counterclockwise, well I twisted the darn thing off. It was a reverse threaded bolt, and to loosen the bolt one would turn it clockwise.
I think if you tried one way and the other, you would feel it untension long before you broke the bolt.

Thanks RustBucket. I forgot to say this is a "K" model '98 LeSabre, and that makes a difference because not all models un-tension the same way, apparently. I got two answers to the question: 1 clockwise, 1 counter-clockwise.

I had a pretty good-size breaker bar on it and it felt like the torque to loosen it might be about the same as the torque to break the bolt, so that's why I'm going to make sure before I have to replace more than just an alternator.

This is a great site--wish I'd found it a couple of years ago.

Later.

when standing on the passenger side, lefty loosy, or counterclockwise will do it. If you think about it for a moment, it can only logically lose tension by turning it that way.

Thanks tman. I forgot to say this is a "K" model '98 LeSabre, and that makes a difference because not all models un-tension the same way, apparently. I got two answers to the question: 1 clockwise, 1 counter-clockwise. It's a transverse engine (3.8) and the belt is on the passenger side facing the driver's side. If that makes sense. If I go c-clockwise, it will be pushing against the tension that's there now, so clockwise looks like the way to go. But: I'll still ask around just to make sure, because I'm left-handed and usually end up doing things bass-akward.

I had a pretty good-size breaker bar on it and it felt like the torque to loosen it might be about the same as the torque to break the bolt, so that's why I'm going to make sure before I have to replace more than just an alternator.

This is a great site--wish I'd found it a couple of years ago.

I appreciate your reply.

My 99 is left to un-tension. here is a picture
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/190601belt_label.jpg
If you turn right, you will unloosen the bolt. The only way you will break anything is to turn it left and the belt will un tension. If you continue tuning left, the tensioner hits a stop, and then if you keep turning it past the stop.

My 99 is left to un-tension. here is a picture
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/190601belt_label.jpg

Well, I don't know what the hell to do now. So far it's running 2 votes for clockwise, 1 c-clockwise.

When I figure it out I'll let you know.

Thanks.

You were absolutely right--Left, counterclockwise. Thanks again.

Thanks tman. I forgot to say this is a "K" model '98 LeSabre, and that makes a difference because not all models un-tension the same way, apparently. I got two answers to the question: 1 clockwise, 1 counter-clockwise. It's a transverse engine (3.8) and the belt is on the passenger side facing the driver's side. If that makes sense. If I go c-clockwise, it will be pushing against the tension that's there now, so clockwise looks like the way to go. But: I'll still ask around just to make sure, because I'm left-handed and usually end up doing things bass-akward.

I had a pretty good-size breaker bar on it and it felt like the torque to loosen it might be about the same as the torque to break the bolt, so that's why I'm going to make sure before I have to replace more than just an alternator.

This is a great site--wish I'd found it a couple of years ago.

I appreciate your reply.

Be careful when working with the belt tensioner - if it strips its a very messy, expensive and time consuming replacement. Learned the hard way on my 3.8 liter.
That was a handy diagram of the belt routing too.
highland

Be careful when working with the belt tensioner - if it strips its a very messy, expensive and time consuming replacement. Learned the hard way on my 3.8 liter.
That was a handy diagram of the belt routing too.
highland

Thanks Highland. I figured out the correct direction to go (counter-clockwise) and the alternator replacement went smoothly. Looks like I'd have to unbolt part of the right-side motor bracing to replace the serpentine. But that belt's only about 2 years old, so should be good for a while.

Thanks Highland. I figured out the correct direction to go (counter-clockwise) and the alternator replacement went smoothly. Looks like I'd have to unbolt part of the right-side motor bracing to replace the serpentine. But that belt's only about 2 years old, so should be good for a while.

Yep, the motor mount bracket has to come off. I removed the right wheel, and while crouched in the wheel well partially pulled down the black plastic fender skirt and was able to get the mount bolts out. Used a few ratchet extensions - and a 12 & 15mm socket I think. When the time comes to do yours, it might help to put the WD-40 several times to the mount bolts a few days in advance. Road salt got to mine and the threads were rough. Then jack up the motor from the bottom to raise it about one inch to get belt clearance. I'm glad to not have to do that for a few more years. I had a '95 Monte Carlo that took about 45 seconds to remove and replace the belt. That was ideal.

Yep, the motor mount bracket has to come off. I removed the right wheel, and while crouched in the wheel well partially pulled down the black plastic fender skirt and was able to get the mount bolts out. Used a few ratchet extensions - and a 12 & 15mm socket I think. When the time comes to do yours, it might help to put the WD-40 several times to the mount bolts a few days in advance. Road salt got to mine and the threads were rough. Then jack up the motor from the bottom to raise it about one inch to get belt clearance. I'm glad to not have to do that for a few more years. I had a '95 Monte Carlo that took about 45 seconds to remove and replace the belt. That was ideal.

Thanks for the details. I'm in Austin, Texas so road salt usually isn't an issue nor is sea salt. It takes a crafty engineer to mess up what should be an easy 5-minute job (or in your case, 45 seconds--I'm a lot slower). But I do love that 3.8 engine and transmission--it can push that fairly big, very comfortable LeSabre down the road with 29 mpg.

Always appreciate everybody's input and interest. Thanks.