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What rule of thumb to go by when setting the tension on the alternator and power steering pumps on a 02 civic automatic?
How much up and down play do u want?
thanks

 
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best bet's to measure how much play you can get before you change it... otherwise just tighten it up and before you put the power steering pump back in just fire up the car and put on the ac and head light's and all the power accessory's you can so there's a load on the alternator.... if the belt sqeek's or slips tighten it a bit more untill it doesn't (of course with the engine off) then do the same with the power steering pump ... but that one's on top so it's ultra easy if it's a bit loose.

 
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I bought a tension gauge at eBay for like $35 a while back 'coz I didn't want to guess and don't wanna keep thinking sheeze, is it too loose? is it too tight? is the alternator not spinning enuff to charge the batt? $35, well worth it, make quick jobs of adjusting, is a "forever" tool, move on to more interesting projects.

 
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^^^
Pic or linK?

How exactly do you operate one?

 
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There should be no sag in the belt what so ever. Just tighten it as tight as you can.

 
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I like this guy. Plain and simple.

 
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If ur kin eyes notice sag, then the (no) charging light would had come on by then.

There are a couple of variation on tensioning gauges, but mine looks like this:



The belt goes between the two fingers and pushes on a center level that u don't see in the picture, the level is spring loaded and calibrated that drives the gauge face.

 
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unless you a body builder, of course!
My friend have some of his tools bent... Hex key is helical now... I would post a pic if i had...

 
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I struggled with this for hours last night. Car's still not done and I'm still unsure about the tension.

I may look into buying this tool.

 
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I would be very careful on overtightening, you may put enough tension on the alternator pulley to cause alternator bearing failure if it is too loose you will hear it "squeal" like a stuck pig under heavy loading, i.e headlights, heater, rear window defroster, etc.

 
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Hello everybody! First post!
Im sorry for breaking into this thread but I have alot on my mind, AND pics and dealer pdf guides to post.. and i cant do it...suppose im too new? What gives?

And that guage in the previous post...forgot who at the moment, thats a damn expensive one! Nice! ...makes me think I should pick up a cheapy soon...
Back to why im here:
I am about to do my T-belt VERY soon (all belts, really). OEM parts just arrived in the mail from DCH Honda in Cali, VERY good service/prices FYI. And after a succesful Exedy stage 1 clutch install, rear main seal, transaxle seals and ball joints(watch where you WHACK) reading robo1040's post (with his sexy toolbox LOL) I am ready to tackle it.

Does anybody got advice to give? Also rebuilding the P/S pump...i'll get pics.
FYI I already read Creaker2's DIY, Reddawnman's DIY and a few others...its been pretty slow at work LOL

Thats all folks! Hit me back!