Why do serpentine belt tools have ratcheting function?

[oldschoolcraft]

In my car, I've always just used a combination wrench, box end side, to release tension. on the serpentine belt. I pull it around 30 degrees and that maxes it out, and then I hold my hand in that new position, which is a few inches from the starting position.

I've noticed that there's a lot of these serpentine belt tools and they have ratcheting function. I've also read someone comment about using a ratcheting wrench of the correct size (not part of the kit, just a regular ratcheting wrench) for serpentine belts.

Maybe a dumb question because maybe on my car it's easier than others, but I dont see how ratcheting would help me. I guess it means instead of shifting my hand position by 3 inches as I'm pulling tension, I can ratchet backwards and keep my hand exactly where I started.

Maybe it makes a bigger difference in some cars more than others? What is the benefit of this feature?

 

[techieman33]

For a car that has plenty of room to work it's not a big deal. But for a lot of cars it's pretty tight with just enough room to squeeze a ratchet in there. And often there are obstacles in the way that limit your range of motion. Having a ratchet lets you get it in the best position possible.

 

[rust in the eye]

While relaxing a belt tesioner with a belt installed may only require a few degrees of swing re-installation typically require a bunch more to get a tensioner at rest into a position where the belt may be put on. Like in any other situation the ratcheting action saves you from having to re-position the tool, something nigh on impossible when the tesioner wants to return to it's resting position.

 

[5ubtle]

While relaxing a belt tesioner with a belt installed may only require a few degrees of swing re-installation typically require a bunch more to get a tensioner at rest into a position where the belt may be put on. Like in any other situation the ratcheting action saves you from having to re-position the tool, something nigh on impossible when the tesioner wants to return to it's resting position.

What keeps the tensioner from retreating while you are trying to ratchet? Seems like you would need another tool to hold the tensioner stationary.

 

[techieman33]

What keeps the tensioner from retreating while you are trying to ratchet? Seems like you would need another tool to hold the tensioner stationary.

Nothing, the point of the ratchet is to get you to the starting point you want. The repositioning they're talking about is just to get it to the starting point you want.

 

[Wrench97]

What keeps the tensioner from retreating while you are trying to ratchet? Seems like you would need another tool to hold the tensioner stationary.

You position the belt somewhere not completely on a pulley hold the belt there with one hand and ratchet with the other.
The tensioners that have 2 holes you line up and put a pin in to hold them all the back are the best OEM's need to use more of that style.

 

[Hakeem]

You can clock the ratchet + extension to clear obstructions and apply force from an optimal position.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I thought for years that a serpentine belt tool was a waste of money. Then I had to work on our we 2005 equinox and I needed a thin ratchet or a serpentine belt tool. I got the tool and I had to cut the handle in half because the cowl was in the way and I was unaware of a racheting serpentine belt tool. I still use that tool and haven't needed a racheting one yet but it would have been very nice to have

 

[2oolhound]

It's just there in case the motor fires when you turn the pulley a bit.