The drive belt system consists of the following components:
• | The drive belt tensioner |
• | The crankshaft balancer pulley(s) |
• | The accessory drive components |
- | The air conditioning (A/C) compressor |
The drive belt system consists of one belt. The drive belt is thin so that it
can bend backwards and has several ribs to match the grooves in the pulleys. The drive
belt is made of different types of rubbers (chloroprene or EPDM) and has different
layers or plys containing either fiber cloth or cords for reinforcement.
Both sides of the drive belt are used to drive the different accessory drive
components. When the back side of the drive belt is used to drive a pulley, the pulley
is smooth.
The drive belt is pulled by the crankshaft balancer pulley across the accessory
drive component pulleys. The spring loaded drive belt tensioner keeps constant tension
on the drive belt to prevent the drive belt from slipping. The drive belt tensioner
arm will move when loads are applied to the drive belt by the accessory drive components
and the crankshaft.