Gates 38125 Accessory Drive Belt Tensioner Assembly - Serpentine

OE Belt Tensioner for Taurus and Sable

The Gates DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner, part number 38125, is built for accessory drive belt systems that require consistent belt control and OE-style fit. It is a steel tensioner assembly with a smooth/backside contact surface and a V-ribbed belt design, made to match the dimensions and mounting layout used on select Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable applications.

Gates applies OE system design experience to the DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner line, focusing on rigid manufacturing tolerances and OE exact comparison rating for fit, form, and function. If you are servicing a 1992 Ford Taurus or a 1988-1992 Mercury Sable with a 6-ribbed belt, this tensioner is built to match the original application requirements.

Key Features

• Part number 38125 automatic belt tensioner assembly
• Steel construction for accessory drive belt system service
• OE Exact comparison rating for original-style fitment
• One pulley with smooth/backside contact surface
• V-ribbed belt design for select serpentine belt applications
• Mounting hole quantity: 3
• Outside diameter: 3.23 in. (82 mm)
• Width: 1.2 in. (30.5 mm)
• Bearing bore inside diameter: 0.67 in. (17 mm)

Detailed Description

This Gates DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioner, 38125, is an accessory drive belt tensioner assembly engineered for OE-style replacement on specific Ford and Mercury vehicles. It is listed for 1992 Ford Taurus, 1988-1991 Ford Taurus with a 6-ribbed belt, 1989-1992 Mercury Sable with a 6-ribbed belt, and 1988 Mercury Sable in serpentine belt configuration. The design uses a single pulley, steel housing, and OE exact specifications to match the original belt routing and tensioning setup.

This part cross-references Continental 49225 and Dayco 89207 for the same application.

What It Helps Address

• Belt squeal caused by weak or inconsistent tension
• Accessory drive belt slippage on worn tensioner assemblies
• Uneven belt tracking on V-ribbed serpentine systems
• Noise from a worn pulley or tensioner bearing
• Loss of proper belt tension in Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable applications

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify belt type, pulley alignment, and mounting-hole layout before installation. Confirm the vehicle application against the listed fitment for 1992 Ford Taurus, 1988-1991 Ford Taurus, 1989-1992 Mercury Sable, or 1988 Mercury Sable with the correct 6-ribbed or serpentine belt configuration. Inspect the accessory drive belt, pulley surfaces, and adjacent components for wear before returning the system to service.

Quality Assurance

Gates manufactures DriveAlign Premium OE Automatic Belt Tensioners to rigid tolerances and specifications to support OE fit, form, and function. The 38125 is built as an OE-style replacement for the listed Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable applications.