Are Belt Tension Gauges Necessary?

[Uncle Buck]

I've never used one in my life but my service manual says the thumb pressure test isn't good enough for V belt tension setting.

Only $30 but does anyone use these things to set up their assessory belts?

25027

[Old Fart]

Nope...always used thumb pressure. Never had an issue.

[Gabe]

In the industrial world, belt tension used to be done the same way with thumb test (1/8" deflection for 12" of span), but with the addition of stronger materials to belt composition such as kevlar, that method is no longer valid as the belts run at much higher tension.

Not sure if it would be applicable to your vehicle (or any vehicle) or not