Review on 🔧 Accu-Drive Tensioner Assembly by Continental (49215) by Ryo Flora

Goodyear 49215 Gatorback tensioner. Fits 1996-2000 Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge Minivans with 3.3L or 3.8L engines. Item NOT AS PICTURED: It comes with SMOOTH PLASTIC pulley, NOT METAL pulley as pictured. Yes, the body is different too. This item looks the same as Hayden Automotive's 5887 Automatic Belt Tensioner, but with a larger, shiny cap. It would be nice to know because I specifically ordered (and paid more for) this item because it was pictured with a METAL pulley. Years ago I bought a Dorman 419-300 Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth automatic belt tensioner for our Plymouth Grand. He and Voyager also came with a plastic roll. That didn't make me very happy either, but I did switch the metal stock pulley to a new tensioner. The bearing is the same size so I removed the plastic pulley, pushed the bearing out and pressed it into the old metal pulley. A working solution, but more work than necessary. Especially if the product is pictured with a METAL pulley. How strong or weak is a plastic reel? I can not say. The OEM uses plastic for the power steering pump pulley (and metal for everyone else) and will last hundreds of thousands of miles. However, the OEM engineers specified a metal pulley for the tensioner, and while I won't be rebuilding the Concourse, I prefer to stick with what the OEM uses. These vans last a very long time and go back many miles with original parts and I hate arguing with success. 1 sprocket because the tension rod is worn out and now the belt is not moving properly. This is the number one reason to replace these tensioners; to keep the belt from slipping off the pulleys. Mine hasn't slipped yet, but it's 1/4 inch from the idler and chirping like a desperate cricket. Not good. I will try Dorman 419-300. It has a metal pulley and is $10 cheaper. Such a product should last more than 13 months and 20,000 miles.