Pulled the trigger to get a 3D printer. Just printed it and looking to give it a go this weekend.
The material I used was PETG, and also used reinforcement screws - will see if it holds up.
PXL_20220907_055351075.jpg
PXL_20220909_041729985.jpg
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:21 am
by Tom
That looks great! I have never used PETG myself, so please let us know how it holds up. And if the socket driver square hole starts to round out, you can try adding a higher line count to the wall thickness setting in your slicer and/or going all the way up to 100% infill. Even with PETG, with the screws in place, it should be good to go -- as long as you don't stress it and go beyond 7 ft. Lbs. Looking forward to hearing how it goes!
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:54 pm
by Seagrams
Prior to using this tool I have always been tensioning by feel and although I never experienced any issues, I was always curious what "new" vs "used" tension might feel like. I noticed that by tensioning the belt such that the water pump can barely turn by hand yields a "new" belt tension spec, while a "used" tension would result in being able to turn the water pump with much less force (moderate force). I find this tool to be a good compromise between buying an expensive tensioning tool and doing it by hand - but surprisingly you can get very close results by hand!
Big thanks Tom
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 5:46 am
by Borisg
comment to download.
Thanks!
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 7:54 pm
by choochbamboozle
Hi Tom, can I get on your list for a belt tensioner? I would gladly pay for your time, materials and shipping of course. I am having a hard time with my Arnworx tensioning tool and I just don't believe its accuracy...belt seems too tight. I can probably confirm this with your design. I am in Illinois. Thanks.
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:20 pm
by Tom
choochbamboozle wrote: Fri Sep 23, 2022 7:54 pm
Hi Tom, can I get on your list for a belt tensioner? I would gladly pay for your time, materials and shipping of course. I am having a hard time with my Arnworx tensioning tool and I just don't believe its accuracy...belt seems too tight. I can probably confirm this with your design. I am in Illinois. Thanks.
Hi and welcome to Carpokes! I always found my Arnnworx tool to be very accurate -- on par with the factory tool really. That said, my 3D-printed version is much simpler, so less precise, but also fewer things to go wrong. If the belt ends up being way tighter with the Arnnworx compared to my 3D printed tool, you might check in with Bruce. As for making you one, I'm happy to do that -- might take a little while if I don't have a spare handy, but will check tomorrow.
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2022 9:11 am
by gph1829
Great idea! Looking forward to using it on my '89 S2. Thank you!
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 9:30 am
by gecko951
Wow, amazing tool; thank you for sharing with the 944 community!
Prior to using this tool I have always been tensioning by feel and although I never experienced any issues, I was always curious what "new" vs "used" tension might feel like. I noticed that by tensioning the belt such that the water pump can barely turn by hand yields a "new" belt tension spec, while a "used" tension would result in being able to turn the water pump with much less force (moderate force). I find this tool to be a good compromise between buying an expensive tensioning tool and doing it by hand - but surprisingly you can get very close results by hand!
Big thanks Tom
This is a great video -- not sure if I missed it or was just too busy to respond when it was first posted, but very much appreciate seeing one in action like this! Would love to see someone with a factory tool or Arnnworx tool compare the two, but I suppose people who have those tools aren't going to be super motivated to try this one.
Re: New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2022 3:07 pm
by gecko951
Printed in Nylon-CF and excited to try it out to re-check my timing belt tension.
