autozone has a belt tensioning tool. i swapped out my alternator in less then half an hour in the autozone parking lot. they have the tools, and if you have a question theyll help you out.
The 93 Acclaim has a serpentine belt. The tensioner below the alternator is what keeps the tension. If you have not tension I would replace the belt first and then check the tensioner.
It should have a spring loaded automatic tensioner, if the spring is broke replace the tensioner arm assembly
Loosen the alternator tensioner bolt. You will be able to slide the alternator either way to adjust the tension on the belt.
It uses a spring loaded belt tensioner I believe. The tensioner is automatically set. IF there is not enough tension, then replace the tensioner. The belt may be stretched and need replacment however.
If the tensioner isn't working right, you replace it. Tension is determined by the tensioner and is not adjustable.
You can loosen the tension on your alternator belt by loosening the tensioner bolt. When the tensioner bolt is loose you can slide the alternator to the left.
If it is a drive belt and not a serpentine belt is has no tensioner. You manually adjust the tension by normally adjusting tension by moving the alternator. Loosen to bolts holding the alternator in place and then adjust the tension. Tighten the bolts when the tension is right. If it is serpentine belt if you follow the belt around the the engine you will see the tensioner.
My suburban has a automatic tensioner therefore I need to do is take the tension off with a long wrench and slide the belt from underneath it and replace it with the new one. The tensioner is right by the water pump. If not then you will need to loosen the alternator bolt and drop the alternator to loosen the tension. Trust me manuals can be your best friend!!
What about this tensioner? How do you remove it, or how do you releave the tension so you can replace the belt?
The tensioner has a spring in it that provides the correct tension for the belt. If it is too loose, replace the tensioner.
Simple... See how and where the old one is and put it the same way... All you have to do is loosen the belt by loosening the belt tensioner. Then unplug the cable, remove the bolts that hold the alternator. Replace it with the new one, plug it in, put the belt on and tighten the tensioner to give the belt "tension" obviously. and Presto
if your not sure how to change the alternator take it to a mechanic, otherwise you just un bolt it , disconnect the harness then replace with a new one, you will have to take the belt off first by removing the tension on the tensioner