BD Kenmore Question

Loosen the nut above the motor which sits atop the baseplate. Be careful as it may loosen suddenly and one can smash knuckles (I well know) when it suddenly gives.

Once the nut is loose, insert a lever in between the motor mounting brackets that is long enough to pivot (turn) the motor. WP recommends a long screw driver or a broom handle. I use a massive screw driver.

Direct whatever sort of lever you use toward the left, and the motor will tighten-up as long as there is still room for the motor to travel. Moving the motor to the left will increase the tension on the belt. Hold the motor where you want it, and re-tighten the nut SECURELY.

If the motor doesn't rotate enough, loosen the second nut which is tucked behind the motor UNDER the baseplate. When both are loose, there should be no reason the motor won't adjust. Tighten the second nut (if you needed to) AFTER you have snuggly tightened the first one.

DO NOT make the belt "piano wire" tight! It needs to have some play in it - about 1/2-inch of deflection if you push on it with your finger.

Gordon


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Post# 432147 4/30/2010 at 16:36 (5,108 days old) by fridgiman ()
Checkrate/Likes Hey guys, My Lady K is down (again)and I will be doing some work on her soon. My question has to do with tightening the belt. I've done it before, but never seem to be able to get it tight enough. What is the best way to tighten the belt? Do you use something with leverage to pull the motor back? How do you leverage without breaking something? Stumped in Ohio. Thanks for the help.

Post# 432151 , Reply# 1 4/30/2010 at 17:07 (5,108 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *Belt tightening procedure* Loosen the nut above the motor which sits atop the baseplate. Be careful as it may loosen suddenly and one can smash knuckles (I well know) when it suddenly gives. Once the nut is loose, insert a lever in between the motor mounting brackets that is long enough to pivot (turn) the motor. WP recommends a long screw driver or a broom handle. I use a massive screw driver. Direct whatever sort of lever you use toward the left, and the motor will tighten-up as long as there is still room for the motor to travel. Moving the motor to the left will increase the tension on the belt. Hold the motor where you want it, and re-tighten the nut SECURELY. If the motor doesn't rotate enough, loosen the second nut which is tucked behind the motor UNDER the baseplate. When both are loose, there should be no reason the motor won't adjust. Tighten the second nut (if you needed to) AFTER you have snuggly tightened the first one. DO NOT make the belt "piano wire" tight! It needs to have some play in it - about 1/2-inch of deflection if you push on it with your finger. Gordon

Post# 432154 , Reply# 2 4/30/2010 at 17:55 (5,108 days old) by fridgiman ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks so much for the help What do you brace the bottom of the lever against? I just want to be carefull and not break anything. Jim

Post# 432175 , Reply# 3 4/30/2010 at 20:10 (5,108 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *Good to know.* I'm about to do this on a machine I'm fixing for a friend. Thanks for the detailed description. Dave

Post# 432177 , Reply# 4 4/30/2010 at 20:35 (5,108 days old) by Combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes *WP BELT TIGHTING* Be fore righting the belt make sure its not too worn. The back of the belt should ride slightly above the edge of the motor and other pulleys also look to see if there is a heavy layer of black rubber dust on top the cardboard splash shield thats on top of the motor. If the belts been loose for a long time its usually better to just replace it. Also I always loosen both 9/16" nuts one on top of the base plate in the rear the other under the base plate in the front then pull the motor to the left and tighten the rear nut first then the other one.