Universal Timing Belt Tension Gauge How to use Laser / Draper / Bergen

How to use, set up and read the Laser / Draper Universal timing belt tool for any vehicle that uses a timing belt.

[@adriaanvanheerden737]

Wow, your demonstration is really amazing. Tx.

[@louismartinez8962]

Very good instruction and practical! I felt as though I was in class. You sir, are a very good instructor! Best Regards!!

[@spidiq8]

Thank you and I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@phero3137]

Newtons is force, Newton meters is torque. You cannot convert Nm to N, also you exert force in N not in Nm. Just a little correction.

[@user-ex8tj3tc6r]

Eres un pitera!! Gracias por compartir. Saludos desde España

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Thank you for making this video.

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome, hope you found it useful.

[@JohnSmith-wj2wd]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. The lack of any manual made it's use a bit of a mystery to me.

[@spidiq8]

John Smith Glad it was useful.

[@Akadectra]

This is an excellent video. Thank you very much! It helped me a lot! Greetings from Bavaria :-)

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome and glad it helped.

[@allanandrowey5219]

Thank you. Helped me a lot.

[@spidiq8]

Glad it helped.

[@Marc-xu6hk]

I have seen also your "Ducati 916 / 748 / 996 timing belt change" part 1-4. Perfect video's! I would like to change the belt of my ducati 851 which is using the same belt as the 916 used in the video's. Can you tell me the deflection and load values I need to use, so I can use the universal timing belt tension gauge, soon in your video? I have checked internet and all your videos but the values are not mentioned. Thanks

[@spidiq8]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed this. Unfortunately I'm not at home currently to check the manual for the values needed and when I did that video I used the Facom tool which I borrowed from someone in the Scottish Ducati club. Will try to remember and find the info when I can.

[@jeanar3336]

Where can I find this chart? Thanks

[@Oiz-gj8wz]

Hello Sir, this is a excelent video. Thank you for document scala in mm and dkn. But you helped, because my manual taller only have information in Hrz _dkn, but i dont know how to check the belt deflettion in mm, the scala on the left, the formula would be to messure the belt lenght netwen two pulleys and muttiply by 1'6? Thans.

[@totalclima88]

what is "16.6" is deflection max range? My service manual show me, that my belt(used) should be ~295N or 66lbf....so how i have to understand chart ?

[@daveho7086]

I saw the chart, but it only have data up to 7.9daN, which is 79nm. thus i am wondering if it can set 98nm with a deflection of 3.5mm. This data is meant for honda jazz 07.

[@spidiq8]

Ho Hao Yi Dave I'll dig out the tool later and take a look but odds are the max on the chart are the highest it'll go, what are you measuring?

[@spidiq8]

Ho Hao Yi Dave I'll dig out the tool later and take a look but odds are the max on the chart are the highest it'll go, what are you measuring?

[@daveho7086]

Thanks! I would like to set the serpentine belt tension for honda jazz 07 as per manufacturer recommendation.

[@alexmessina3383]

No useful response here??

[@Chris-hw4mq]

Dave Ho I also need to apply 98nm and get around 5-6 mm on a power steering belt. Did you figure it out ?

[@programteknologippu1886]

How to get the table of displacement?

[@spidiq8]

For the tool? it's on the video, for your vehicle, you'll need the manual or a friendly garage mechanic who can provide it.

[@peterpage7322]

Great video, thank you

[@spidiq8]

Glad you liked it!

[@alexmessina3383]

Interesting and instrutive. Thanks! However all the specs I have for several car reference a force of 100N (10Kg) with a deflection of around 9mm-11mm ...this chart only references up to 7.9daN or say 80N ... I assume it's not proportional, so you cant default to 50% of force for 50% of deflection?? Any suggestions here?? Thanks, Alex

[@spidiq8]

Theoretically that should work and there is a little 'give' in manufacturers specs, the concern I'd have is that as the deflection increased the belt would be under more tension so the greater the force needed, i.e. The first 5mm would deflect with less force than the second. I would, in this situation divide and multiply by the maximum on the chart so you'd be looking at a deflection of 8mm at 80N, I'm confident this would get you close to specs, you could always have a garage double check the tension afterwards for peace of mind.

[@FAsthaEkadiyanto]

I also have the same problem. What I would do is to seek the correctly tensioned belt and use the tool to measure at its range and take that measurement into the newly tension belt to adjust with similar results. Could that work?

[@apermonti4180]

Great video thanks a lot

[@spidiq8]

Glad you liked it!

[@lusoprazer]

Bonjour, quel est le mode d'emploi de cet outil ? On vient tangenter le bout du piston de l'outil sur la courroie et ensuite c'est la tension manuelle de la courroie qui poussera la courroie sur le piston permettant ainsi de suivre la lecture graduée sur l'outil ? L'outil a deux types d'échelles de graduations ? Merci.

[@spidiq8]

Cela fait un certain temps que je n'ai pas utilisé ce dernier, mais de mémoire rouillée, vous devez calculer la lecture dont vous avez besoin, puis vous la placez comme indiqué dans la vidéo sur le plus long parcours de la courroie avec les deux jambes en dessous et le piston en haut et ajustez le tension de la courroie pour refléter la lecture sur la tige coulissante de la balance. Cela semble plus complexe qu'il ne l'est et le calcul de la lecture pour votre voiture est plus délicat car vous pourriez avoir besoin d'informations du fabricant si votre manuel d'utilisation ne les fournit pas. Ceci est traduit dans Google, donc j'espère que cela a du sens.

[@daveho7086]

Any idea if the tool can set 98N with a deflection of 3.5mm?

[@spidiq8]

Ho Hao Yi Dave I'm unsure without looking at it and the chart again. If you check the chart that should indicate how high the measurement goes.

[@le-chris]

I am trying to set belt tension for a Peugeot. The manual says it should be set to 53 SEEM with relates to 300 Newtons Burroughs BT 33-73F/BT 33-86J. They way I understand it, these 300 Newtons are the belt tension, so the force longitudinally to the belt. As this tool measures deflection under a specific force (acting orthogonally to the belt), it seems like the 300 Newtons need to be converted to two other parameters. I am also a bit confused by the lookup in the table: How much the belt deflects does not only depend on its tension and the applied force, but also on the length of unsupported belt onto which the force is applied. So specifying only the force and the deflection doesn't say anything about belt tension, without also specifying the distance of belt over which this is measured. In the case of the tool it is something like roughly 50mm. Is this some kind of standard? Otherwise, the numbers would not really be comparable on their own.

[@spidiq8]

The distance of the belt at which this is measured is always consistent as it sits at 2 flats while the plunger presses in the centre. Being completely truthful I'm not a mathematical minded person so I might be misunderstanding something but the belts I've tightened with this method have held up fine over the course of the use period.

[@le-chris]

@@spidiq8 The tool I am using has a distance of 51mm between posts. I am just curious because how using this as spec dies work, because I don't understand how the manufacturer would know this distance of the posts in my measurement tool. Or is there a standard? I found an Amazon review that I think details the correct mathematics behind the device. The tension force of the belt and the orthogonal force from the plunger create a force parallelogram. The deflection force is F = 4 * T * d / l * cos alpha where T is the tension force of the belt, d the deflection, l the length of the gap in the measurement device. Also, cos alpha can be ignored, because it will roughly be 1 for the angles encountered in practice In my case, I need 53 SEEM tension equaling 300 Newtons belt tension. According to the formula, according to my device's 51mm gap, this relates to a 3mm deflection at 70N of force. As my belt is 6mm thick, I take the 6mm offset of the plunger as zero an set the spring tensioner to 4mm, because my particular device has 10N/mm as spring constant and I need 70N/(10N/mm)-6mm(Belt thickness)+3mm(Deflection) as offset. With this setting, I can check if belt deflection is 3mm in the device. If it is, belt tension should be around 300N. I believe this calculation to be correct, but it course I cannot provide any warranty, and if you feel that you have found an error, feel free to bring it up. 🙂

[@eliranbenreuven8990]

Thanks for the video. I'm reading a workshop manual that states 98NM(22lb) of force and an alternator belt with 9-11 deflection when new. Is this type of tension guage relevant to those manual specs or i just wasted my money?

[@spidiq8]

You will be able to convert it but may need additional info from the manufacturer, unfortunately i'd need a refresher myself to remember the conversions now.

[@davidrichards7558]

Nice video, but ~5 minutes of content packed into 21 minutes. You don't have to repeat everything 2-3 times. The beauty of KZbin videos is anything that isn't clear you can rewind and watch again.

[@gu9409]

Thank you, it help !!

[@frankyghost7256]

TKs a lot, mister.

[@ziziz6091]

The video is very good! What are the values ​​for a 2009 Dacia Sandero 1.2? Engine code: DAF 732 Does anyone know?

[@crigeorge9549]

On ebay all these tools have the same size numbers on both sides scales. Not to mention that 0 on one scale on one side is a bit lower than the coresponding vertical grade while on the other side upper 0.2-0.3 mm. Their alot of counterfeits on ebay even the ones like Satra like the one you have. where did you buy yours? as I see it has different sizes .

[@spidiq8]

I bought mine on ebay but many years ago, there was a chap in Sutton in Ashfield who was stocking and selling these and a wide range of other tools. I think it was this one. wjdtools.co.uk/

[@Fezzo1982]

Hello. Going to be using this on my 996 this week. Watched your other videos about belt change. What reading should I be Aiming for with this gauge. Thanks

[@spidiq8]

It would be dependant on the information given in the manual and then calculated for use with this gauge, Unfortunately I'm near neither my manual or gauge to help with that, the 996 is the Desmoquattro engine same as the 916 and 748 though so you should be able to get the figures you need from one of those.

[@alexmessina3383]

Maybe I missed something. How are you measuring the deflection. It is clearly not the difference between Optimal and Tension? Thanks for taking the time to do the vid :-)

[@mavezy]

Good video fella!

[@spidiq8]

Thanks, hope it's useful

[@hoverhead047]

I've just received my no-name "ebay" belt tension gauge and I've found the the spring pressure ceases just after ten. So winding it out to twenty is only an aggravation as the rod inside the spring appears bent and the knob binds each revolution after ten when the is no spring pressure. Vid had been quite helpful for me to understand how to use this tool.

[@spidiq8]

Glad the video helped but that's a nuisance about your tensioner. What brand is it and have you contacted the seller?

[@hoverhead047]

@@spidiq8 The tool is un-branded and arrived in an undecorated white box the same size as yours. I dismantled it and found it had a lot of swarf inside. The setting rod that presses on the spring was bent and that is was causes the tightness. I sent photos to the seller who replied that they would refund a percentage if after I cleaned it I couldn't get it to "wok". I have cleaned it, I haven't determined what was causing the rod to be off centre . It is threaded into the thimble an secured by a nut, a very poor quality one at that. I wanted to check the tension of my motorcycle drive belt that I had recently replaced and tensioned using a ruler and weighing scales (method according a Haynes manual). Unfortunately, using the numbers supplied for using the cycle makers tool gave a result with this tool that indicated too tight.

[@spidiq8]

@@hoverhead047 I would suggest you request a refund on that as the item sounds too poor a quality to serve its purpose. This one by Satra is made at the same place as the Draper and Laser tools to the best of my knowledge. Are you in the UK? I can get contact details for the UK retailer for Satra and Asta tools who've recently been in touch with me about the possibility of trying some more of their tools. Also, may I ask which bike it is? There are often other methods, if Ducati there's a selection you can use which I explain in my 916 belt changing videos.

[@paulupton9390]

Hi, just purchased a Bergen tension gauge. Fitted a Gates Powergrip cambelt kit to my 2012 Astra 1.7 cdti, but now need settings to get correct tension using gauge on belt. Have contacted both Gates and Vauxhall to obtain settings, but both are being unhelpful 😕 Can you help!!??

[@spidiq8]

paul upton Offhand I'm not sure at all, have you been given any figures or settings from either place to work with? Hopefully if so it's something that can be converted to suit the gauge here.

[@anthonyskilton2679]

A very big thank you for this :O) best wishes to you.

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome and I hope it's been useful for you. Thanks.

[@scottschwager9739]

have you figured out What are the specks for a ducati 996?

[@spidiq8]

Sorry, no I haven't. Please do share them if you find any info though.

[@stevengrant4768]

Same as Daniel, thanks

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome, glad it was useful to you.

[@thde1985]

Hi spidiq8, what reading should this tool be at for a ducati 748? I checked the manual and it only says " 2 - 2.5 on the ducati tool/gauge" thanks

[@spidiq8]

Unless you can get the Nm deflection rating you can't readily transfer it, the only way without is to test it on a belt of known tension or against either the original Ducati tension tool or the Facom unit. You can set the belt manually using one of the other methods covered in my 916 timing belt series of videos and then take a reading for future reference also. Sorry I couldn't help further.

[@Thom4zz]

ok,thanks man! i love the videos, ive done as good as everything on the bike with them! Maybe the local dealer here may know the numbers, will let you know. greets from belgium

[@spidiq8]

Thanks, good luck with getting the figures.

[@anthonyskilton2679]

Hi. May I just ask please about the Haynes SEEM figures that I have for my Peugeot Partner van 1.9 diesel 2006. They give the belt to be a final setting of between 38 and 46 SEEM units of tension. This equates to 203 and 245 Newtons (not Newton metres as you say, it should be just Newtons) which is 20.3 to 24.5 daN (dekanewtons) but your tension table only goes up to 7.9 daN ?? Do you think that the 'load on the cambelt' is the same thing as the Haynes figures ? I hope you don't mind me asking and thanks for any help with this. Anthony

[@spidiq8]

Honestly, I'm not entirely sure, that seems like a massively high tension figure though regardless of the engine type. In this case you might be better off using something like the Facom tool that you can see in my Ducati cambelt video series, this is much simpler to use and requires no calculations but is a more expensive tension tool. Of course the general rule of thumb is a 45 degree twist test on the longest run, this is fairly standard though not 100 percent accurate, as you reach the 45 degree point you should feel tension and it should be very very difficult to twist further, at the force you specify it would be nigh on impossible to twist the belt at all which will be putting massive strain on them and the crank and cam wheels. You'd be better asking for figures from a model specific forum or a friendly garage and then converting them accordingly to be sure. For further confusion, you could try to find a Hz figure and using an app tension that way.

[@anthonyskilton2679]

Many thanks indeed. I'll go with the 45 deg rule for now and approach my local mechanic to see if he would check the tension with the belt tensioner he uses, if he uses one, then compare. He's given advice before for a 'drink' but he may charge for this of course. I'll leave the covers off for access. This has got me thinking. I reckon if I hang the old belt up and place known weights from the end (loop end if I don't cut it) for it to be in a known tension, then i could calibrate the SATRA tensioner. I could use plastic milk bottles with each litre of water (1Kg) giving 9.81 N of force ( w=mg) If I don't cut the belt then it would have to be divided by two of course as the tension would be shared between the two belt parts. I must do this then let you know how I got on. Cheers.

[@spidiq8]

That would be good to know, thanks

[@roskokov]

how to convert units in Nm because someone gave him directions in units. BMW 36 must have 42 units, how many Nm is it?

[@spidiq8]

росен ковачев Sorry but I have no idea what you mean by units, unless that's something specific to a bmw tool. lb/ft, Nm, etc are commonly what's used

[@roskokov]

thanks anyway

[@SadaruddinZLappo]

On Vehicle data 125 lbs, how to setting this data on the tool ?

[@spidiq8]

Unfortunately I'm not at home to access the tool or directions now and being a long while since shooting this I'd have to refresh my memory. I'll try to remember to get that for you.

[@colinmartin9102]

1 pound force is 4.448222 Newtons so 125 LbsF = 556 Newtons, so divide by 10 if tool in DecaNewtons

[@zorrosigiloso5280]

Where can I download that chart from?

[@spidiq8]

I have no idea, it was so long ago that I got it.

[@jacobomatheumarroquin4340]

Me gustaría ver el vídeo de tensiómetro en español

[@frankyghost7256]

jaja

[@brandonwebb2100]

What’s the lowest force it can do

[@spidiq8]

Off the top of my head I couldn't say it's been ages since I used it last. If you reference the table I show in the video you should be able to see.

[@brandonwebb2100]

spidiq8 timing belt on Hyundai elentra 2001

[@brandonwebb2100]

What’s the measurements on that tool

[@spidiq8]

@@brandonwebb2100 I have no clue re vehicle specific settings, you'll need info from your user manual to calculate what setting you'll need. If you watch the video it explains how to take the readings from your Haynes manual or similar and transfer them via the chart to the tensioner.

[@ghost-ep5is]

you mentioned a ducati what type of ducati you got

[@spidiq8]

Here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpfNfmWad82macU

[@ghost-ep5is]

spidiq8 a 916 very nice I have a ducati 750 super sport

[@spidiq8]

+ghost 94 I love the look of the 750 / 900ss, the older squarer type with full fairing, wouldn't mind having one of those. The video series I linked is a how to for cam belt changing and the principal would be the same on yours even if it's the older model with the 2 valve head.

[@ghost-ep5is]

+spidiq8 mines a 1992 to model if you ever get one check your selectors they have a habit of going in the 750

[@spidiq8]

+ghost 94 That's the nicer pre face lift model then, lovely looking bikes. Useful info about the selector, thanks.

[@sparkyobrian6417]

dont buy the facom one, its garbage, lots of play in the pin to barrel attachment making over 3mm play, no bueno on my ducati, $$$ down the drain.

[@spidiq8]

Surprised to hear that, I used a borrowed Facom one on my Ducati Cam belt change series of videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHq2m2yXr52seNE I found it to be very well made like numerous other Facom tools I've used in the past as a working mechanic. Did you try contacting them directly as I imagine they'd have dealt with this for you given it's a precision piece of equipment and out of curiosity was it purchased via an authorised reseller as it's surprising the number of clones and fakes of things you find on ebay and some other online shopping sites?7

[@TrailVapor]

Rubbish

[@spidiq8]

Care to expand?

[@vaidasjursys]

You could easily make this 5min video instead of 21.....thank for wasting our time!

[@spidiq8]

Thanks for wasting your time? Apologies that it wasn't short enough for your liking but I thought that given the complete lack of any other tutorial on this device on youtube my effort would be appreciated, especially considering I didn't have to do this after searching all over to find suitable instructions for the tool to use it, test it and then transfer this knowledge to youtube for anyone else interested to view FREE OF CHARGE!. I had a quick look at your channel for inspiration and ideas on creating short concise content but you seem to have a distinct lack of videos uploaded to your channel? I hope you at least found it useful despite the length, if so then that's the reason I uploaded and you're welcome ;)

[@housedog1231]

Don’t watch it then you dipshit

[@thomasm8699]

Will this work the same as VW210 tool???

[@spidiq8]

That's not a tool i'm familiar with so I couldn't say, sorry.

[@pdxmack]

Yes, same, but you can get the settings from the vw shop manual. Example: the AAZ/AHU diesel shop manual specs the setting at 12-13.