New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool

Rob_944
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2025 5:44 am
Great tool/solution, Thank you very much for providing the stl file.
Greetings, Robert

#471

944seo
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2025 9:52 am
Been thanked: 1 time
Tom wrote: Fri Jul 01, 2022 7:21 pm Here is our all-new 3D-printed timing belt tensioning tool for the 944.


Carpokes 944 Timing Belt Tensioner.stl (This is the version most people will want. You need at least one post on Carpokes to download files!)



Carpokes 944 Tensioner with Power Brim.stl (See post #53 in this thread)


Carpokes 944 Tensioner with Heat Set Threads.stl (See post #143 in this thread)



[Note: if you cannot download the .stl above, be sure you register and account and are logged in with at least 1 post on Carpokes. If, after that, you still have problems, feel free to email me at admin@carpokes.com.... ]



Image


The basic idea is that it relies on a torque wrench to measure how tight the belt is. The tool has two small pointers that correspond to the new and used belt factory tensioning specs. The appropriate pointer should line up with the guiderail on the water pump when the torque wrench reaches 7 ft. lbs. (84 inch pounds).

Although I’ve tested it with multiple torque wrenches and calibrated the pointers to match the factory tool, I’d still consider this a beta version until we have several people actually print it and use it (i.e., use common sense and use at your own risk, etc., etc.) My plan is to update the tool after more real-world use, but at least in my garage, on my test motor, it works remarkably well. [May '23 edit, all feedback to date has been good, so no current plans to update the tool.]

The one in the video is posted in ABS with 100% infill and 4mm wall thickness. PLA should also work fine, if not better. The model has holes for six sheet metal screws (No. 6 screws 1.5 inches long) to give the tool the mechanical strength it needs to hold together. The tab that applies pressure to the belt is prone to snapping off without the screws, and the drive socket is prone to cracking apart. The screws seem to solve all that, as long as you don’t go past 7 ft. lbs. with the wrench. You may be able to get away without the screws if you use super hard plastics, like NylonX, etc., but I haven’t test that yet.

See it in action in the video below! All feedback encouraged!


This is great! Thanks!

#472

Trivgar
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2023 3:06 pm

#473

User avatar
Tom
Site Admin
Posts: 8564
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:04 pm
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Has thanked: 891 times
Been thanked: 3845 times
Contact:
Trivgar wrote: Sun Sep 07, 2025 4:21 pm
Looks perfect. Running like a champ I assume?

#474

Trivgar
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2023 3:06 pm
Tom wrote: Sun Sep 07, 2025 6:02 pm
Looks perfect. Running like a champ I assume?
Better than ever!

#475

cf0x_009
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2025 10:48 am
Has thanked: 1 time
Fantastic! Appreciate someone taking the time to figure this out and make our lives a little easier.

#476

t36
Posts: 84
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2025 8:31 am
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 23 times
Amazing!!! Cannot wait to put mine to use! Incredible idea.

#477

Cosine_
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2025 11:40 am
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Really awesome on your behalf to create and share such a tool. I'm going to print it and give it a try on my '87 951. It has the sping tensioner, so it will be nice to verify that with your tool.

Thank you and I'll let you keep you posted on how it goes.

#478

tjhyde
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2025 6:26 pm
Cool tool! Is there any way it can be used on a car without the water pump guide rail? Would it be possible to use the water pump as a reference or a measurement to some other point?

#479

t36
Posts: 84
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2025 8:31 am
Has thanked: 72 times
Been thanked: 23 times
Got mine printed. Really excited for it!
You need to be registered and logged in to download files. Registration is free and easy!

#480

Post Reply