Re: 1994 F150, 4WD, 5.0L

How does one go about removing that doggone little bolt holding the tensioner pulley?
I need to replace the pulley; the rest of the tensioner is fine. I have to rotate the tensioner CCW as far as it will go before I can apply force to the bolt. One I get there, the bolt does not move. Is it a righty-tighty bolt, or a lefty? Should I use WD40? Do I need a giant lever arm like a long pipe over the wrench?

Thanks!

 

I used a pipe over my rachet and it came loose, PB blaster is your friend though. It is a reverse thread bolt, so it is lefty-tighty righty-loosey.

 

I don't remember it being a LH bolt. Remove the bolt that holds the tensioner assembly to the bracket, then clamp the tensioner arm in a vise to remove the pulley bolt.

 

the pulley on mine was, I can run out in a min. to double check it tho. I know one of the 2 are, the tensioner or the pulley is.

 

Thank you for the info. However, I am still confused.

Is the bolt for the pulley a lefty or a righty?

A couple of parts stores told me it's a righty, but they seemed to be guessing.
The Ford dealer said I have to replace the entire tensioner assembly. He didn't seem to know either.

I'd like to keep this a simple as possible, so I don't want to remove more parts than necessary.

I thought this would take about 10 minutes: remove a bolt, replace pulley, replace bolt, install new belt.

Thanks again!

 

Don't have a service manual for a 94 but the manual for a 96 does not indicate that it is a LH bolt. When LH bolts are used the manual almost invariably calls them out as such. That indicates but by no means guarantees that yours is a RH bolt.

Generally for pulleys and sheaves the bolt requires an impact driver to loosen. All you'll get with a cheater bar is a sprained back or a bent cheater - or both.

 

I just went out and checked. It is a reverse thread on my 89 302. So Lefty tighty Righty loosey... If it were a normal thread then it would loosen the bolt everytime you went to put a belt on.

 

I just replaced the whole assembly for like 30 bucks piece of cake. If your having that much trouble time for a mechanic.

 

Based on the factory-recommended method of detensioning the belt, I'd GUESS it's a LH bolt, but I can't find my spare V8 tensioner to check.

But it's only ONE more bolt to pull the tensioner assy. off, and you might be able to see the threads on the backside of the pulley arm.

 

It's a LEFTY!

booba5185: your comment that the bolt would loosen every time a belt was put in place convinced me to turn the bolt CW to loosen it. A little WD-40, a moderate push on the wrench, and the bolt loosened quite easily.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

But wait................There's more:

What about the little star bolt on the Idler pulley? Is it a lefty or a righty? It doesn't budge in either direction.

thanks

 

That I'm not sure on, I don't have an idler pulley on mine, just the tensioner, lemme do some searchin real quick

 

Looks like it is reverse thread, just like the tensioner pulley:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...d.php?t=173154

 

Ford '95 5.0L
Tensioner pulley is a left-handed thread (left to tighten).
Idler pulley bolt is a T50 Torx head, right-handed thread (right to tighten).

 

I am unable to get my tensioner pulley moved at all. It is supposed to be spring loaded and have the ability to be moved counter clockwise to get a new belt in position. Cannot figure out a way to move it. Advice sought. Thanks.