VIDEO: Combating Belt Flutter With Decoupler Pulleys

OADs help absorb small vibrations from the crankshaft that could produce belt flutter.

Published: December 28, 2020

The average belt tension used today is lower, with vibration control, and the integration of the Litens OAD (or overrunning alternator decoupler). As a result, less tension increases the life of the belt by slowing down wear.

This has permitted OEMs to extend replacement intervals past 100,000 miles on some vehicles. Also, with less tension, the amount of power required from the engine to turn the belt-drive system is lower, improving fuel economy.

Decoupler pulleys combat belt flutter, as they decouple the alternator from the belt-drive system and help absorb small vibrations from the crankshaft that could produce belt flutter.

This video is sponsored by Continental.

Gear Ratios and Vehicle Performance

Just remember, there is no perfect gear ratio.

By Josh Cable

Josh Cable is the editor of Counterman and ShopOwner. He joined Babcox Media in January 2017, and has been working in the field of journalism since 1999.

Published: March 27, 2024

Have you ever wondered in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle how the engine spinning in the center of the car can spin the wheels that are perpendicular to the engine?

Well it is a mystery how that happens. Additionally in that same space we change the ratios of revolutions and the torque available to spin everything.