After getting my new (to me) 99 XK8 last week and thoroughly paranoid about the tensioners, I reviewed all the threads on the forum and ordered the parts from Sunroad Automotive as several of the forum members have done. Got the parts today and noticed both tensioners were identical, same RB on the body of each. Boxes had different part numbers (BA and CA) but the contents were the same. Called them and they checked their other inventory and all tensioners were the same though half had different part numbers on the boxes. Called another dealer and their stock was the same, everything RB. I thought the parts were physically different and there was an LB (6K254-CA) for the left bank. Anyone enlighten me, please?
Thanks,
Don

 

They are different parts for left and right but the BA and CA make that distinction.

Ford PN 2W9Z6K254BA Right Secondary metal bodied Tensioner (1 required)

Ford PN 2W9Z6K254CA Left Secondary metal bodied Tensioner (1 required)

Ford PN W500301S300 Bolt (4 required - YOU MUST USE THESE NEW, SLIGHTLY SHORTER BOLTS)

They are physically different and mount shoe up on the right, shoe down on the left.

 

That's what I thought and what I ordered and according to the boxes, what I received. Howsomever, the physical tensioners in the boxes are all the same, apparently right bank. Parts guy is going to check with Ford. Since two different dealers have the same parts, I was wondering.

 

Where did you order them from? I have mine sitting right here, have not opened them yet.............yikes better check em out. I ordered mine from the Ford place in southern California.

 

Whew........just checked mine and they are indicated LB & RB. By the way those guys at Kearney Mesa Ford ARE ON IT!!!!!

 

Ordered mine yesterday from Don Davis Ford Arlington Texas.
Just got call parts are in from Detroit.
The CA tensioner is $87.98 BA tensioner is $78.82 .
would appear there is a difference between two parts based on price.
Will post later today what I rec'd.
By the way re shoe position .
Right is from drivers seat ----------?

 

[QUOTE=Graham Royls;734642
Right is from drivers seat ----------?[/QUOTE]

Yes that is correct.

Can you take a picture?

 

Just rec'd the tensioners from Ford dealer
Hope this helps Box w/ 2WZ9z-6K254-CA
Box shows label 7939 103 M56703
GLOBAL1 AUTO 07/23/12
Base of box has one 2W9Z-6K254-CA SERV.TENS. SEC. LH < JAG
N&WGE A04472S 05/16/12
PART IS STAMPED LB {on one side}

Box w/ 2W9Z-6K254-Ba
Base of box has one 2W9Z-6K254-BA SERV.TENS. SEC. RH , JAG
N&WGE A04472S 06/05/12
PART IS STAMPED RB {on one side}

Bolts came in a package of 4

Lot of numbers but the stamped identification should help.

 

Utrider, you must have got the last one. I ordered my stuff from the same dealer. My boxes have all the right data, just the parts are the same. Guess Ford's supplier herby had a few extra to get rid of. Kinda hate to postpone the project. Hmm, maybe I should check my gasket set!

 

Lately there seems to be a problem with the Ford secondary tensioners being ALL RH even though the left box is correctly labeled.

I also ordered LH and RH just this week but got RH in BOTH boxes so I reordered the LH and that is what I got.

I told the Ford parts guy that I will keep the incorrect RH and order another LH for inventory.

I replace the tensioners in customer cars often enough to keep them in stock.

bob gauff

 

I am getting ready to replace the upper tensioners on my 2001 XKR Silverstone - i have only 32.000 miles on it, but want it done for peace of mind. I noticed that most Lincoln OEM parts departments are now listing the left side tensioner (CA part#ending) as "discontinued". The right side is not listed as discontinued. They are still listing prices for the left one, but it is not clear if they have them in stock or not. This could be the reason some are receiving 2 of the right side tensioners in their order.

 

Finally got a "LB" tensioner after returning the mislabeled "CA". Box looks the same though. Don't know if this part is discontinued or not but Sun Ford came through with the replacement. Now if they would have refunded my shipping... Now to reread all the posts on how-to.

 

Good to hear you're ready to go. If you have any questions while proceeding there are plenty of members who have done the replacement and will be standing by to help, and of course several professionals to whom we are all grateful.