Install a belt tensioner in 2004 freestar - 2004 Ford Freestar

Steve Allison

• 5569 Answers
• Posted on Oct 09, 2008

SOURCE: 2004 Ford Freestar Serpentine Belt

Some are actually spring loaded and others just have a slot that allows for adjustment. Either one of those types should be visibly different.
If the belt is not used for cam timing, the adjustment may be done with one of the accessory items such as AC compressor, the alternator or the power steering pump. In this case, the adjustable device will have one pivot bolt and another that goes through a slotted area to allow the device to 'swing' for adjustment.
The pivot bolt should be only a little loose so one can just barely move the adjustable device, while the adjustment bolt should be free while adjusting.  This may help not losing the adjustment after having set the belt tension correctly.

SOURCE: serpentine belt

Here is the one for the 3.9 engine, if you have the other one let me know.

SOURCE: How do you get the sepentine belt back on a 2004

it is located under the power steering pump pulley towards the rear of the engine u have to rotate the the tensioner counterclockwise then push the spring clip towards the tensioner.

SOURCE: Install Serpentine Belt 2004 Ford Freestar

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the correct Serpentine/Drive Belt Diagram for your 2004 Ford Freestar. You either have the 3.9L or 4.2L V6 Engine. I am not sure what Engine options (AC/No AC, etc.) you have. If this Diagram is not correct: check on the underside of your Hood for the correct Belt Diagram. However the below "How To" remains accurate.

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2004/make/ford/model/freestar/2004_ford_freestar_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

"HOW TO":
Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagram on Link)
2. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool, Or Wrench OR Ratchet, Rotate/Move the Tensioner USING THE AVAILABLE NUT (on the Pulley or Arm Base) OR the OPENING (3/8ths or 1/2 inch square opening) rotating the Tensioner Pulley/Arm - moving it away from contact with the belt and towards the area where the belt is not in contact with the Tensioner Pulley. The Tensioner is spring loaded, and is hard to rotate/move.
3. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.
4. DO NOT quickly release the Tensioner, but gently allow the Tensioner to rest in its closed position.

Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
a. Pick a Pulley that is most easily accessed. This will usually be on top. This will be the last Pulley that the belt will go on.
b. Using the Diagram: Install the new Serpentine Belt on the remainder of the Pulleys....over, under, left right.
c. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool or Wrench or Ratchet Tool: Rotate/Move the Tensioner Pulley/Arm "away" from Belt contact area on the Tensioner. This spring is pretty hard and with a new belt, it will be even harder to install. Rotate/Move this to as-close to the maximum allowed inorder to have enough slack in the belt to get it up and over the last pulley.
d. Using your other hand - Pull the Belt up and over the Last remaining Pulley.
e. Before releasing the pressure on the Tensioner, visually inspect the remainder Pulleys and the Belts' Positioning on them.
Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

SOURCE: where is the tension pulley

All you have to do is look at the belt &
where it travels ,to find the pulleys,what
items are driven by it & the tensioner

Surely you can tell it from the other pulleys