How can you determine if a belt drive is misaligned?

Determining if a belt drive is misaligned can be effectively done by measuring the angle of the pulleys. When pulleys are not aligned correctly, it can lead to increased wear on the belt and pulleys, resulting in inefficiency and potential failure. By measuring the angle, you can assess if the pulleys are parallel and in line with each other. Proper alignment ensures that the belt runs smoothly without undue stress, reducing the chances of vibrations, noise, and premature wear.

Other methods, such as checking the tension of the belt, may indicate other issues, like overall wear or improper installation, but they do not specifically address alignment. Using a torque wrench is unrelated to alignment since it is predominantly for measuring the amount of torque applied on fasteners. Observing the color of the belt offers no technical insights into alignment whatsoever, as color variation does not indicate alignment quality.