serpentine belt tensioner question

[Solarboy]

I'm putting a new belt in my 95 2.3L Quad GA SE. The tensioner is "stiff". I can move it back, but it will stay back, I can move it forward, and it stays forward. It feels spring loaded, but sticky! The idler pulley itself seems fine, no wobble or sticky...but the pivot on the tensioner seems to have more friction than I would expect, and I can't find a good pic of the tensioner anywhere! How should this thing be operating...what's ok?
Tanks

[Solarboy]

Interesting format: I ask the question, then answer it.
Oh my gaaawd! Of course it's not supposed to work like that..it's actually supposed to be nice and smooth and springy.
And changing it isn't too bad. You have to pull the alternator off (3 bolts) and then the challenge is getting past that steel bracket, which is cleverly placed underneath a bigger bracket for the A/C. The single nut that holds the tensioner in place is strategically placed behind this bracket in such a way that you can see it, but can't actually get a wrench on it. Not a common wrench or socket, anyway. Just maybe, a thin steeply offset 15MM box end would do it. But I didn't have one, except in my dreams, at that moment. So I took off the two bolts on the brace...one goes through both brackets...and loosened the A/C brace to engine bolts...and was able to put a pry bar in and lift the A/C bracket just a little..enough to slide the alternator bracket out from behind the A/C bracket. Then a socket takes out the tensioner. It does wiggle out without any jacking or fender panels or anything. Reverse the procedure, and When you put in the new belt, you have to have or devise a decent wrench to get all the movement you can out of the tensioner...take it to the max, and the belt slips on easily. If any aftermarket tensioners are cheaper, but require any additional modification to anything, I'd pay the dealer difference if that's what it meant. Mine was $60. Took about an hour, plus some head scratching time.

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by Solarboy
Interesting format: I ask the question, then answer it.
...
Keep this up and you'll lose your 'junior member' status! :D :D

[Dimk94GA]

Thanks for instructions ..... they were pretty useful for me
Just one comment: on my car the tensioner DID NOT "wiggle out" at all. Thick rubber line from A/C compressor was placed exactly on the way. It was very hard to move, but it was possible to compress it and get the tensioner out. Putting the new tensioner in was even more problematic. It would be much simpler if a threaded rod was 5 mm shorter, i.e. the end portion that does not have any thread removed.