94 X LTD Advise on a replacement of Idler/Tensioner Pulley

[mgmgmg]

I found out that my Idler/Tensioner Pulley Is making sqeeking noise and has alot of play. My question is; Can I leave the Tensioner on and just unbolt the pulley off? Of course my belt is off when I plan to do this. I see there is a bolt that holds the pully on. Also Should I use loctite?

Ken

 

[rollinstone]

You have a DYI manual, right? If not, I'd suggest getting one. The spring-loaded tensioner pulley and the idler pulley are two separate pulleys, the former applies tension to the belt, the idler is a belt guide.

Anyway, I just changed out the idler pulley on my '97 5.0L. Naturally, the idler pulley can't be removed until you take the serpentine belt off. In order to take the belt off, you gotta release tension by rotating the tensioner pulley. I put a socket on the tensioner bolt and using a longer ratchet handle to give me more leverage, rotated the tensioner clockwise releasing tension on the belt and removed the belt. Then you go to the idler, remove it by simply unbolting it, then bolt in the new one. No need to use loctite.

 

[rollinstone]

Just reread your original post. If your tensioner pulley is bad, replace it the same way...relieve the tension, remove the belt, remove the tensoner pulley...replacement is reverse.

 

[mgmgmg]

ok i just replaced the bad pulley but it still skeaks? I really dont know why? Not as bad as before tho. I'm lost

Ken

 

[rollinstone]

If it was a new, out-of-the-box pulley, it shouldn't squeak, since it turns on an internal bearing. Perhaps the belt itself is bad. If it's the original belt on your '94, it's probably on its last legs. Take a good look at it, inside and out in good lighting.

I used a mechanic's stethoscope to isolate the noise on my bad idler pulley. Until then, I could've sworn the noise was coming from the alternator!