A tensioner has a base plate and a pivot arm. A first end of the pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the base plate for rotation about a first axis. A spring biases the pivot arm to rotate in a tensioning direction. A push rod assembly is pivotally mounted to the second end of the pivot arm. The push rod assembly is rotatable about a second axis extending parallel to the first axis. The push rod assembly frictionally engages the pivot arm generating frictional forces counter acting and damping the spring bias. When the tensioning guide is forced to rotate in the tensioning direction, the acting moment arm of the push rod force causing the guide to rotate towards the endless drive, is considerable longer at the end of the tensioning stroke than in the beginning of the stroke.