I have used the information from Ace Answers to very good effect in maintaining my 1990 Townace Royal Lounge. However, I have not been able to find anything which tells me how tight the various belts need to be when refitting (I am replacing all 3 - power steering, air-con and fanbelt). I have read the info warning against overtightening the alternator belt and hence I am wary of overdoing it! However, having taken the seat panel out I don't want to have to repeat the process because they're too loose! If anyone can assist with this I would be very grateful.

- (#13093) John Bauer, 29 Aug 04 12:24

The engine manual,code RMO25E, available from your local Toyota dealer at less than a tenner, gives all of this information

- (#13093) John Davis (Leics), 29 Aug 04 15:53

thanks for the pointer, i will get one as soon as i can. doubt if it will be before tuesday though. that'll teach me to start working on it on a bank holiday weekend! on the other hand, if anyone with said manual could give me an indication of the amount of play etc in a correctly tightened belt i could finish the job so i can drive to work on tuesday. on the other hand, let me think about that........

- (#13093) John Bauer, 30 Aug 04 03:01

John. It's a bit confusing to convey the information in the manual but, here goes.
On a FR vehicle (front engine, rear wheel drive) with an effort of 10KG on the belt, these are the deflection measurements, utilising NEW belts. (The figures are slightly higher if re-fitting used belts).

Fan to Alternator. 9.0-11.00 mm
Crankshaft to P/S pump. 7.5 -9.5 mm
A/C Compressor to crankshaft. 6.5-7.5

These figures, and the deflection loading, are not easy to achieve, or measure, in practice but, you won't be far wrong by pressing the belt quite hard and using a piece of card with the deflection measurements marked on it. Obviously, the smaller defection figures, for new belts, allows for some stretch, in the belts, during use.
I hope this is of some help
- (#13093) John Davis(Leics), 30 Aug 04 04:02

John,

Thanks very much for the info. It will certainly help me to finish the job in time to get to work (doh!). I will definitely invest in the manual at the earliest opportunity!

- (#13093) John Bauer (Lincs), 30 Aug 04 04:25

Some other vehicle manuals suggest being able to twist the belt 90 deg on its longest run as a rough guide

- (#13093) chris turner, 30 Aug 04 05:52

For me, this is the worst bit of re-assembly. You have to make a judgement about belt tension and if you get it wrong the floor has to come out again. Advice I've received is that I tend to leave them too loose.

I realise that the belt deflection is partly due to slack and not to streching, but the deflection you see is very dependent on how hard you press. Never mind whether it's 7mm or 9mm, what is pressing "quite hard"?

So this prompted me to do a test, that might add to JohnD's advice. Pressing on an object about the width of a belt on top of some warehouse scales I discovered that I could only just get a reading of 10kg with my thumb, and only half that with my fingers.

So for 10kg I would say "maximum thumb pressure" not just "quite hard".

- (#13093) Dave Mason (Sussex), 31 Aug 04 09:35