On a Mazda mx3 4cl there are two belts; both driven from the center pulley. The alternator belt is the inside belt that travels back toward the firewall.
The alternator is held in place with a long bolt on bottom (pivot point), and a long threaded screw on top. The top screw is tightened to move the alternator, thus creating tension on the belt.
Important: as you tighten or loosen the top tensioning screw the angle changes accordingly, you must also loosen the bolt that holds the tensioning screw's receiving block as to not bend the screw. (You will see this block is held in a channel, which will allow the receiving block to rotate as well as move up and down)
The process: loosen all the bolts involved, as you will see every thing connected to the alternator will move. Tension the top bolt, and then tighten all the bolts again.
the screw should add tention easely, if the screw seems real tight, you most likely forgot to losen a screw some place.
It would be simple but it's such a tight fit that you won't be able to see anything and your tools won't fit if your hand is holding it. I ended up ripping off all the plastic splash guards from around the wheels and getting at it from the bottom, it's a reach but at least you can see it.
(BTW: if you live in New England or Canada, you most likely have a ton of splash guards, this was a recall fix that was supposed to keep the road salt out of the alternator.)
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