Belt Tensioner

[SpyderRx]

Has anybody bought the belt tensioner and felt like it didn't improve their spyder or wasn't worth the money? Also has anybody tried the one from baker built air wings?

 

[oldgoat]

I have the SmoothSpyder one on my '08 GS. Very happy with it. Has greatly reduced what was obviously belt vibration.

 

[Some Guy]

I installed the Baker Built tensioner on my RT right before going to Maggie Valley. It did what it was supposed to do...on the way down.

On the way back, different story...LOTS of vibration in the 5300-6300 RPM range. So I couldn't really use the cruise control over 72 because I had to manual adjust the throttle up and down when vibrations started.

I'm not blaming the tensioner yet. I want to check my belt tension. If that's OK, I'll remove the tensioner and see what happens.

I'll post the results.


BTW: it really IS as easy to install as they claim.

 

[redlightron]

I have the Baker tensioner on my RT and it is very loud with a high whistle that you can hear was cars pass. I also had the same issue with Capt Jims but I don;t seem to have much vib.

 

[NancysToy]

There are several possible causes of (excessive) vibration on a vehicle. The belt tensioner can only take care of one of them.

 

[Chupaca]

Works well..!!

we have the smoothryder and it works well..now we have an RS so can't say how well they work on the RT's. Has helped considerably if installed and set properly..:thumbup:

 

[Doc45]

I have the SmoothRider on my 2012 RT. Works great. Had to readjust after a couple of rides. Not quite as easy to install as the Baker unit but I didn't know that until after my install. The unit does it job and does it well.

 

[Firefly]

I had the Smoothspyder version on my GS and it did smooth things out.... but also had a whine that was annoying.... but not any more annoying than the RT belt squeak is.

RT seems so smooth that I'm not sure I'll need one.

 

[Phillig]

I have Captain Jim's Smoothspyder on my 2012 RT. It works great. I would buy it again.

 

[cjackg]

I installed Captain Jim's Smoothspyder on my 2012 RT Ltd about 7k mi ago. It eliminated belt flapping at certain rpms and smoothed out the RT overall.
I dont have any problem with related noises as my hi-frequency hearing departed long ago !

It works great. I would buy it again.

 

[capt.jim]

I have the Baker tensioner on my RT and it is very loud with a high whistle that you can hear was cars pass. I also had the same issue with Capt Jims but I don;t seem to have much vib.

A slight turbine or turbocharger type whistle is common on some, and you will soon get used to it and it should quiet down as the idler wears to the belt. It should not be excessively or annoyingly loud. According to the manufacturers of the tensioner units, this is most likely due to the cooling ribs on the backside of the belt, which makes sense, except then again many are completely silent. There also may be unseen differences in the belt itself, many steps go into the manufacturing process of the belt and more of a percentage for non uniformity, as in some have squeal for no apparent reason, but most don't. All the idler pulleys I have found for a tensioner application are set up with a 6203 "C-4" designated bearing, meaning that the internal clearances of the bearings are set up loosely for sustained high speed use without over heating and failing. I have tried every idler pulley I could find from different manufacturers, including serpentine automotive belt idlers, all the way to $140 precision timing belt idlers which overheated because of a tight clearance. These composite purpose built idler pulleys are still the best and quietest for this application. If anyone has a Smoothspyder tensioner and thinks it is overly loud I am happy to swap the idler for a new one to rule out a bad or defective bearing.
The brackets are 3/16" powdercoated steel and won't get brittle and crack with age, the tensioners are tension adjustable, nearly bullet proof and maintenance free with self lubricating bronze bushings. All parts now have an unconditional lifetime warranty.