Review on 🚀 Enhanced Performance with Gates 38404 DriveAlign Automatic Belt Drive Tensioner by Rafael Gomez

It looks like an identical replacement for the original from the Mini. Would have given five stars if it wasn't for the confusion in the instructions with missing parts. Overall, I trust Gates to at least find a quality replacement part that costs a lot less than an OEM dealer part. This was no exception, but it seems almost every company and re-boxer uses the same manufacturer's part. I found a couple of issues with the part right out of the box and had to send the first one back. for what seems unproblematic based on the fact that the second item appears with the same missing screw but doesn't mention it should be in the box. Note the photos of the downloaded installation guide. The initial installation instructions stated that the main mounting screw should be replaced with a new screw that was included in the kit but not in the box. I went back and ordered an identical part but there was still no screw in the box but there was no link in the new instructions to replace the screw so I just installed the tensioner with no problems. OK, maybe a problem. See Notes below: Notes: (1) Remember to also replace the stationary idler pulley at the same time as the tensioner pulley and belt. (2) The new tensioner cannot be fully compressed. There are two holes for tensioner compression. They come with a pin in the top hole so you need to install the tensioner and squeeze to move the retaining pin to the next hole to reattach the strap. (3) Attention! There are three different belt part numbers for: Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper S JCW and they are not interchangeable, also the wrong belt can damage your drive pulley. (4) Remember that this is not an easy task at all. If you are not mechanical by nature, do not attempt this trade unaided. Most YouTube videos don't provide enough detail and/or have incomplete or incorrect procedures to get the job done. Much luck!