a new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a bearing - ramp clutch . during normal operation , the bearing - ramp clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm . when the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction , away from the belt , however , in a condition commonly known as wind - up , the bearing - ramp clutch locks against a fixed internal surface and creates a frictional damping force that is applied to the tensioner arm . this frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction to mitigate wind - up .