Very timely that someone dug this one out of the cellar, as I was just about to ask the same information.

The wife's truck came with an extra used tensioner, among much other new and used stuff, in the tool-box.

I have no knowledge of it's history, whether it is good or bad.

I intend to bolt it to a stick of iron, hold it in the vise, and test the strength of the spring.



If the bearing is bad, will it be obvious to me ??

Will it wobble or sound/feel rough if it is shot ??



Like the complete units, are there some brands to avoid ??



Thanks.

 

Ask them if they have 'another' Dayco unit in stock. Or go to another Autozone. I've always said Autozone carried them. But last time I went in the same thing happened to me. Dayco box or Dayco part number written on the box, but some POS el cheapo tensioner inside. No thanks. It was the only one in stock, but, I have 3 Autozone's in town. Went to another one and got the proper Dayco unit.

 

Yes, I ended up visiting all of the other AutoZone's within the my County. No one had one in stock......order in item only. I just decided it was best to go someplace online and look for one. I would hate to have them order one in and get another bogus cheapie. I'm sure someone online sells Dayco units.

 

unfortunately guys that's just the way it is in good ol USA anymore. by searching to find a non foriegn one you just may have been finding old stock- my guess is that Dayco went overseas for better $$. somebody call em. their website makes you believe they are proud to be american? they are on facebook too. most bearing/pulley warehouses sell belts & such too so maybe since we have the part number they would be able to get it. l8r, crossy

 

After doing some research online to find alternative sources for the Dayco brand tensioner, I found that the part# has been changed to 89219. This seems to bring up a good quality, made in the USA part from Dayco. The price varies among companies that still carry them. I do know that we have many hydraulic hoses made by Dayco at my work. I will probably just order one online.

 

What store are you using for buying that at ?

 

I just dug up that spare tensioner and gave it a minor inspection.

It is stamped DAYCO and made in USA.

The wheel spins smoothly and I can feel no wobble or play.

The wheel appears to be a honey-combed plastic; does it have a pressed-in bearing ??

Or, does it just have some sort of bushing ??


It would be nice if it is a good one; will I have to actually put it on an engine to know ??

Thanks.

 

Ussually the wheel is molded on the bearing.. never seen them bushed.

 

It's hard to tell without putting it on the engine. If it's worn out, the belt will ride off to one side of the pulley. The pivot bushing wears out and the tensioner arm sits cockeyed, that's why the belt starts walking off and losing ribs.

 

I found several places that claim to sell the Dayco units:

-Amazon $75.46
-Rock Auto $83.79
-Advance Auto Parts $64.99
-Summit Racing $112.99

I decided to give Advance a try. I will see what they ship me in the mail.

 

The tensioner I ordered from Advance Auto came in today!!! I opened the box and found a genuine Dayco tensioner inside. The part, box, and installation instructions were all labeled Dayco & "Made in the USA". I would recommend these folks as a source for replacement tensioners.

 

You guys talk about AutoZone as if they're a bad thing...

Watch 'em...more than once I have asked for an over-the-counter part and opened the box to find an OEM part(the last was a fan clutch for an 88 BroncoII) that some unscrupulous customer returned for refund...often their counterpersons don't check their returns. A neighbor of mine bought front pads for her 01 Civic(at the same AutoZone) and asked me to put 'em on for her---OK, be done in 30... open the box and some fecalbrain had returned this set after putting antisqueak on 'em...ON THE FRICTION SIDE!!!!!! AND THE DOOFICOIDAL COUNTERMAN GAVE THE NITWIT A REFUND AND STUCK 'EM BACK ON THE SHELF!!!! So always inspect what they hand you before you fork over the cash!

 

My Dayco's came from advanced. Nice thing is, if you have 2 5.9's.

Keep the box and receipt, if either go bad in warranty period, pull it and go gets a new one!

 

I have found this to be true regardless of where or what one is shopping for.


Hardly any store is immune from this, whether it be a hardware store, clothing store, or whatever.


It always pays to have a look in the box before laying out the cash; you don't want to get home and find that you just bought two boots for the left foot.



I have known of devilish guys ( shoppers, not employees ) that got their kicks from swapping things around in boxes, having no idea who was gonna suffer later from their stupid pranks.