May 2001

Form No. 433-0791

The Technical Truth About Belt Tensioners

Round torsional spring vs. flat spring tensioners which has fewer noise problems?
Tensioner construction has a lot to do with how quietly a vehicle operates. Round torsional springs are the OEM choice for quiet operation in automotive applications. Heres why:

Round Torsional Spring

1. Round torsional springs are vibration and noise
free. Space between the coils keeps them from banging together.

Patented plastic damping

2. The damping mechanism in round torsional

spring tensioner absorbs shock loads for stable operation.

Flat Spring
1. Close-wrapped coils vibrate and become
noisy as a tensioner wears.

2. Damping mechanisms are not included on most

after-market flat spring tensioners. This means shorter belt life, more vibration, noise, belt slip, and ultimately, more returns.
Noise

Some manufacturers of flat spring tensioners concerned with the costs of including damper packages in their aftermarket tensioners have tried to add damping by placing low friction tape between the coils. This tape keeps the coils from making noise and banging together. However, tape erodes over time due to friction and heat build up. This erosion results in reduced damping effectiveness, more noise and increased chance of contaminants locking up the tensioner one of the main causes of tensioner and drive failure. Continued erosion of the tape can lead to "rust bleed", a condition where friction between coils rubs through the protective coating on the spring coils, leading to rust problems. Advanced damping systems ensure reliable, long-lasting drive system performance by absorbing load shock while maintaining tensioner stability. Tensioners without damping systems wear faster, resulting in more frequent tensioner and belt replacements.

Binding Heat Rust

Tape between springs

Why Choose Gates?

Gates builds only round spring automatic belt tensioners. Each with the damping mechanism that provides the quiet operation demanded by OEMs. Unlike so-called universal tensioners, Gates tensioners look, fit and perform like the OE, and require no retrofitting to make them work. Gates tensioners bolt on just like the tensioner you took off. Choosing the right tensioners is easier when you choose Gates.
The Worlds Most Trusted Name in Belts, Hose and Hydraulics. The Gates Rubber Company 900 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80217-5887 www.gates.com