Stiff tensioner pulley

[williamraff]

I have just bought a new alternator tensioner for my 2003 1.9tdi, I expected it to have some give in it like a mini shock absorber but it seems completely rigid?

The one I have taken off is the same but I thought this was because it was faulty, are they supposed to be this stiff, there seems to be no movement in the shock absorber part at all?

Thanks,Will.