Patent ID: 8142315

Claim:
A tensioner assembly for tensioning an endless power transmitting element, the tensioner assembly comprising: a base plate; a shaft having a first end mounted to the base plate; a pivot bushing that is slidable on the shaft; a tensioner arm including a hub portion, a mount and an arm, the hub portion being coupled to a first end of the arm, the mount being coupled to a second end of the arm, the hub portion engaging the pivot bushing; a torsion spring having a first end, a second end and a plurality of coils, the first end engaging the base plate and the second end biasing the tensioner arm in a predetermined direction relative to the base plate; a driven member coupled to the mount of the tensioner arm; and a load balancing element disposed between an interior surface of the hub portion and the torsion spring, the load balancing element being driven radially outwardly against the hub portion by at least one of the coils of the torsion spring at a predetermined location to transmit a radially outwardly directed force, which is generated by the torsion spring, to the hub.