Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The way this tool works is you put the arm of the tool in the down position, and then put the tool midway on the belt between two pulleys. Then push on the tool until you feel the click. Once you feel the click, you stop pushing tension on the belt with your finger and then look at the resulting measurement. The top of the moving arm (left of the picture in this product description) intersects with the scale of numbers engraved on the tool. Wherever that intersection point lies is the resulting belt tension number. I can tell the tool basically converts some level of belt deflection into a corresponding tension number. By applying the specified amount of tension (i.e. up to the point of the clicking noise of the tool), the belt has deflected a certain amount and the moving arm will only move up as much as the belt has deflected. So I would say the key aspect to this tool is when the clicking happens which assures when the appropriate amount of deflection has been applied and then to read the measurement thereafter. Very cool tool.
The only possible ways I can see a wrong measurement occuring is if the user applies more force to the belt (after the clicking already happened) or if the clicking mechanism is out of calibration and clicks too early or too late (thereby applying too little or too much force to the belt to create a wrong measurement). I can't imagine the clicking being out of calibration as it looks like a very simple mechanism. So I would say this tool is very accurate almost all the time. I took a few readings of my belt and always got fairly consistent readings, maybe differing by plus/minus 10 lbs.
I read in some forums where people would say they had no room to insert this tool, but the tool is only 5 inches long (shorter than most pens) and for the most part, if you have room to put your finger on a belt and be able to push on it, you will most likely be able to fit this tool there too. The tool has a rubber strap for your finger to help prevent you from dropping it while finding your way to the belt. Since it's so small, I might recommend you have one of those telescopic magnetic pick-up tools handy in case you drop it down in the engine compartment somewhere since the tool is that small (however, the only magnetic part of the krikit I got is on the pen clip).
You should also be aware that the krikit model 91132 has a tension measurement range of 100-320 lbs while model 91107 has a lower range (30-160 lbs). My car ('03 G35) requires a new belt tension of greater than 200 lbs on one of the belts, so I got the 91132.
I also wanted to comment on the other amazon user reviewer who mentioned the gauge was ineffective for him. I would have to say he likely has loose belts because the tool, in my opinion, is highly accurate if used correctly and it's kind of hard to use it incorrectly. But even with loose belts, you might never notice any noticeable squeeling...basically you can be lucky and never see a problem until the next belt change.
I tried to cover as much as I can because I could never find anyone giving a detailed review of this product which would have helped me evaluate this product prior to buying it, but now that I have it and actually used it, I think it's a very handy gauge and anyone who needs to manually adjust their belt tension should get one. I know some people can tension their belts by feel or using some belt twisting rule of thumb, and that's how I used to do it too, but I get much peace of minding know that my belt is tensioned EXACTLY to specs.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Gates 91132 Belt Tension Tester
Get 7% OFF
Click here for more information about Gates 91132 Belt Tension Tester
0 comments:
Post a Comment