A tensioner assembly for a drive system, including a chain, of an internal combustion engine, includes a housing that is fixedly secured to the internal combustion engine. A piston is disposed within the housing. The piston is moveable between retracted and extended positions. The piston generates a force. A pivoting guide operatively extends between the chain of the drive system and the piston. The pivoting guide applies a first portion of the force against the chain. A lever is operatively connected to the piston between the piston and the pivoting guide. The lever translates the force from the piston to the pivoting guide. The tensioner assembly also includes a cam member that is pivotally coupled to the housing and is slidingly engaged with the pivoting guide. The cam member abuts the lever such that movement of the lever by the piston pivots the cam member in a manner that applies a second portion of the force against the pivoting guide in a varying magnitude.