HI STEVE, YES THE TENSIONER CAN BE REPLACED VERY EASILY ,WELL ALLMOST THE FRT CVRS HAVE TO COME OFF JUST LIKE IN REPLACING THE BELT, BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DISTURBE THE BLT TIMING OR ANYTHING AFTER THE CVRS ARE OFF , ONLY TWO BOLTS HOLD THE TENSIONER IN PLACE AND THEN PULL THE PIN AND FIRE IT UP WITH THE CVRS OFF AND SEE IF THE NOISE IS GONE .. JERRY