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Tom wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 4:23 pm
I need to get the digital tool done...
I agree!
On topic, I did the 90° method with my balance belt and I thought it whined a bit much. Now with aprox 2k miles on it, I rechecked. It only went slightly past the 90° mark with "roughly" the same finger pressure. The whine is less, although still present. At this point I think they all whine to some extent.
Tom wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 4:23 pm
I need to get the digital tool done...
I agree!
On topic, I did the 90° method with my balance belt and I thought it whined a bit much. Now with aprox 2k miles on it, I rechecked. It only went slightly past the 90° mark with "roughly" the same finger pressure. The whine is less, although still present. At this point I think they all whine to some extent.
Mine whines on startup in first gear, but goes away after a couple of minutes. Other forums were suggesting ~135 degrees of twist, which seems quite loose to me. But then again, I’d rather it be too loose than too tight.
When both the camshaft timing and balance shaft belts are set correctly using a deflection gauge, the balance shaft belt runs noticeably looser than the timing belt. For what it’s worth, the same finger/thumb pressure used to twist the timing belt to 90° will generally twist the balance shaft belt a bit beyond 90°, I’d estimate between 110-120°.
As others have said, this method is subjective and better used as a sanity check to ensure the gauge isn’t way out of calibration or placed incorrectly when taking a measurement. Of the 944s I’ve serviced, about half of them come in with the balance shaft belt over tensioned.
