How to Stretch a V-Belt.
- Power down the system you're working with.
- Remove any part of the system that is blocking you from accessing the V-belt.
- Slip your fingers or another object on the underside of the belt.
- Pull the stretched belt away from the system to remove it.
- Stretch out the new V-belt with your hands.
Full Answer
What is a stretch belt on a car?
More stretch belts are hitting the market and may become the belt of choice as accessory drive components are removed from the front of the engine. If you see a belt on a late-model vehicle that does not have an automatic tensioner and runs between just two or three components, it’s probably a stretch belt.
How do you fix a belt that won't stay on?
Wear it until the belt dries. As an alternative, mix a solution of three parts warm water to one part isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray the belt well, front and back, and put it on—a bit tight, if you can bear it.
How do I know if my belt is stretchy?
If you see a belt on a late-model vehicle that does not have an automatic tensioner and runs between just two or three components, it’s probably a stretch belt. Some OE belts will have the words “stretchy” or “stretch” written on the back. These types of belts typically are used to drive the water pump, A/C compressor or power steering pump.
Can you use a screwdriver to install a belt?
Never use a screwdriver or other sharp object to install the belt because if the belt is cut or the surface or grooves of the pulleys are damaged, the belt will eventually fail. Special tools are available from various tool and belt manufacturers that act as a ramp on the leading edge of the pulley.
Can V-belt be stretched?
The function of a V-belt is to link together rotating shafts. Because the shafts are rotating, the V-belt must remain flexible. This flexibility allows the V-belt to stretch and expand as needed, which is helpful when you need to replace the belt.
What if V-belt is too tight?
When a v-belt is too tight: If a belt is too tight in a system, it can add stress to your bearings. The added stress to bearings can result into over amperage of your motor and potential motor failure.
How do you stretch a belt?
1:383:01Stretch Belt Removal and Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet it right there take your belt. Go ahead and run it on your other pulleys. And end with theMoreSet it right there take your belt. Go ahead and run it on your other pulleys. And end with the pulley that you're using the tool. On. Go and assist it and run it up just a little bit.
Can you stretch a mower belt?
Yes, lawnmower belts can stretch. Continuous wear due to regular operation can cause them to elongate over time. When it stretches more than it should, it can result in the drive belts lose grip on the pulley system.
How do you check V belt tension?
1:553:46How to Check if your V-Belt is Properly Tensioned - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn can be determined by two methods. In a multiple belt. Drive simply deflect until the bottom o-MoreIn can be determined by two methods. In a multiple belt. Drive simply deflect until the bottom o-ring is in line with the top of one of the other belts.
How tight do V belts need to be?
At center of the span length apply a force F (using a belt tension gauge) perpendicular to the belt span, large enough to deflect the belt 1/64” for each 1“ of belt span, q. So, for a 32” span, the deflection amount would be 32/64” or 1/2”. 3.
Can you reuse stretch belts?
Dismounting and reusing stretch belts is not recommended. A new belt should be installed anytime one is removed.
What's a stretch belt?
Stretch belts are designed to stretch over one of the pulleys during installation, usually the crank or the largest pulley. Never use a screwdriver or other sharp object to install the belt because if the belt is cut or the surface or grooves of the pulleys are damaged, the belt will eventually fail.
Can belts shrink?
Leather belts don't shrink. It is common to believe that heat and water can cause a leather belt to shrink, but this is not true. Heat and water can cause discoloration and deterioration of the material. We recommend avoiding both of these to preserve your goods and increase longevity.
Can you stretch a Poly V belt?
Made of rubber or urethane, these belts allow for a certain amount of stretch but, PV elastic belts don't stretch as a rubber band does; their elongation capability is generally less than 4%.
How much do belts stretch?
A leather belt can stretch up to 3 inches over its lifetime. In terms of percentage, a leather belt can (at max) stretch up to 5% of the length of the belt. But keep in mind that stretching a leather belt this much is going to take a fair bit of time.
How do you adjust the belt tension on a riding lawn mower?
5:568:10How To Adjust The Belt Tension On A Riding Lawn Mower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow you take your ten millimeter wrench you loosen those bolts off. And you pull that bracket awayMoreNow you take your ten millimeter wrench you loosen those bolts off. And you pull that bracket away from the spring pretty much towards you pull it back all the way. And tighten those bolts back. Up.
What is a stretch belt?
Stretch belts are designed to stretch over one of the pulleys during installation, usually the crank or the largest pulley. Never use a screwdriver or other sharp object to install the belt because if the belt is cut or the surface or grooves of the pulleys are damaged, the belt will eventually fail. Advertisement.
How long do stretch belts last?
Stretch belts can last 100,000 miles or more , but this can vary dramatically depending on the vehicle’s environment and where it is mounted. This is why inspection is recommended — you cannot simply go by mileage recommendations.
How to install a water pump belt on a Mazda V6?
On smaller width stretch belts that are driven by the camshaft, like on some Ford and Mazda V6 water pump applications, you can use zip ties to install the belt. Simply zip tie the belt to the camshaft pulley and turn the engine until the belt is seated, then cut the tie. This method can also be used to keep some belts in place during installation.
Why is my stretch belt so noisy?
Poor alignment is the number one cause of belt noise and premature wear of stretch belts. If the pulleys have poor alignment, the belt will be worn on the edges and might look frayed. Alignment problems can stem from issues with shaft endplay in an A/C compressor, water pump or power steering pump.
Why does my belt slip?
The primary cause of slipping is material being removed from the belt’s grooves, not belt stretching. Over time, small debris and the interaction with the pulleys will wear the shoulders and valleys of the grooves. When the grooves become too shallow, the pulleys bottom out.
What does "less belt" mean?
Less belt means less tension with fewer noise and vibration problems. More stretch belts are hitting the market and may become the belt of choice as accessory drive components are removed from the front of the engine.
When inspecting a stretch belt, always measure the depths of the groove with an inspection tool?
When inspecting a stretch belt, always measure the depths of the groove with an inspection tool because the differences between a worn belt and a good belt can’t be seen or felt. The new materials used to make a stretch belt might crack or separate like older belts before the grooves are worn. Belt gauges are available from manufacturers and distributors, so check their websites or ask your distributor.
V-belts - how much do they stretch over time?
Replacing a V-belt that's been in operation over 5 years of hard service life in a ride on lawn mower (cutting blades drive belt). The manual says the belt should be 250cm long, but I measure this five year old belt at 260cm long on the outside. That's about 4% longer than the specification...
The Following User Says Thank You to wotnot For This Useful Post
I replaced a Couple On my Kubota Diesel before Christmas. They are 2x B section and they go down to a pulley to turn the driveshaft that goes to the cutting deck. They are specced at 30.5" which seems to be unusual and expensive. I tried a 30" and that was too short so I got a pair of 31's which seem fine.
The Following User Says Thank You to Godzilla For This Useful Post
When I started out in landscaping many moons ago, we bought a little ride on for school ovals. It had a belt that lasted several months, from then on it was downhill, sometimes I would not even get through an oval. Gave up on mfg originals at (then) $80 a pop and went to dunlops for $15 which lasted two or three times as long.
How to stretch leather belt?
If you have the length, the simplest way to stretch the life of the belt (other than stretching the leather) is to punch another hole. Measure the spacing of the existing holes and mark where you wish to punch a new hole. Use a leather punch if you have one; otherwise, use a drill and drill bit for a perfect, round hole.
How to get rid of a belt?
As an alternative, mix a solution of three parts warm water to one part isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray the belt well, front and back, and put it on—a bit tight, if you can bear it. Wear it around the house until the belt has dried.
How to keep leather belt from drying out?
Use saddle soap, which will keep the belt from drying out and will condition it as well. Manufacturers usually advise against soaking the leather through, but you need to do so to stretch the belt. Wear it until the belt dries.
Can you use Kiwi shoe stretch?
If the above fails, you will require a shoe stretching chemical. The most readily available are from Kiwi, such as its Universal Shoe Stretch, for smooth and nap leathers. These products break down the collagen in leather, which lends living flesh its firmness and leather its sturdiness. You use these as you would the water/alcohol solution, spraying the belt front and back and wearing the belt until it dries, repeating as needed. Despite the volatile organic compounds in these products, they will not harm you in contact with your skin.
Does a belt shrink with constant use?
A belt should not shrink with constant use, but a conditioner will ensure that it maintains its length. Use a lanolin-based conditioner, which will not stain your clothing as an oil-based conditioner will.
Does leather stretch?
Leather does stretch; in fact, leather belts in machinery will stretch about 6 percent over the life of the belt. You likely have not noticed it, but a belt that you have worn for years has likely gained a percent or two in length; but if it is too small, you’ll need to stretch it more actively. Any stitching or boarding will inhibit stretching;
Step 1: How to Sneak in a V-Belt
V-Belts are commonly used to drive the accessories on the engine of a car. The common configuration shown has the crankshaft pulley driving the water pump (vital for cooling) and alternator (charges the battery) with V-belt A and the power steering pump and AC compressor driven by the crankshaft pulley and V-Belt B.
Step 2: You Can't Get There From Here
So you have a bad belt and look, you can't get to it because the pulley that you would adjust to slacken belt B (the light one) won't play nice. If you lack the leverage, heat, lubricant and time to move it. A (the dark belt) is too small to loop around all of the pulleys ahead of it, and the motor, mounts and such are behind belt A.
Step 3: The Sneak, Part 1
With the old belt A out of the way, place the new one (you got it right?) as shown on belt B. You will use the starter or some muscle to move one side of belt A around the pulley, but not the other one.
Step 4: The Sneak, in Progress
This shows the sneak in progress, with the belt partially rolled into place. You're almost there, carry on. Be sure not to get both sides of A between B and the pulley. It looks hard on the belts, but they stretch. I've done this a few times, never damaged the belts.
Step 5
Keep turning, now you've snuk!. You should be able to put the new belt A around the alternator and water pump, tension it and drive away. It wouldn't hurt to inspect the belts immediately and check the tension a little ways down the road. Hope this can be of help to somebody.
Do Lawn Mower Belts Stretch?
Yes! Over time a lawn mower belt can stretch, although breakage is more common. When used for long enough, as it’s placed under tension, the belt may become elongated to the point that it’ll no longer stay in place when installed on the pulleys.
Why Do Lawn Mower Belts Stretch?
You might be wondering whether there’s anything you could have done to stop your belt from stretching, so let’s look at the reasons why lawn mower belts stretch. There are a few things that come to mind here.
How to Tell Your Lawn Mower Belt Has Become Stretched
Before you go ahead and head to the store to buy a replacement belt for your lawn mower, you want to be sure that a stretched belt is the source of your problems.
Final Thoughts
Lawn mower belts are far more likely to snap or break than they are to stretch given how tightly the cords in a belt are wound. But they can and do sometimes stretch, and when that happens will need replacing.
