Has anyone replaced the ribbed tensioner pulley w/ a metal smooth pulley?

[Cobra Jet]

Just wondering if anyone has replaced the stock PLASTIC ribbed belt tensioner pulley on a 4.0 Explorer with an aftermarket (or parts store) smooth metal pulley?

(NOTE: I am NOT referring to the idler pulley)


If so, what was the part # you had used?

Does the tensioner pulley need to be ribbed, I mean, as long as there is tension, realistically the belt should not slip off the pulley (and many other vehicles have smooth tensioner pulleys as opposed to plastic ribbed)...?

 

[matt0248]

Just wondering if anyone has replaced the stock PLASTIC ribbed belt tensioner pulley on a 4.0 Explorer with an aftermarket (or parts store) smooth metal pulley?

(NOTE: I am NOT referring to the idler pulley)


If so, what was the part # you had used?

Does the tensioner pulley need to be ribbed, I mean, as long as there is tension, realistically the belt should not slip off the pulley (and many other vehicles have smooth tensioner pulleys as opposed to plastic ribbed)...?

Do not put a smooth pully where there is a ribbed pulley. It is ribbed for a reason. The ribs act as a guide for the belt, without the ribs the belt would slip off the pulley.

 

[imp]

Do not put a smooth pully where there is a ribbed pulley. It is ribbed for a reason. The ribs act as a guide for the belt, without the ribs the belt would slip off the pulley.

Even worse, running the ribs on a smooth surface, under tension, will
destroy the ribs real quick, causing belt disintegration, if it don't fly off first! imp

 

[BrooklynBay]

I did the opposite on my van. The two smooth metal idler pulleys were replaced with plastic ribbed pulleys with raised sides. The tensioner still has a smooth metal pulley. Is there any particular reason why you want to swap the pulleys? The reason I swapped my pulleys was because the plastic pulleys were available, and the metal pulleys weren't.

 

[Cobra Jet]

thanks for the replies -

I was really looking for a steel ribbed tensioner pulley - but it seems every single parts distributor only offers the plastic pulley.

No big deal - I was merely just curious as to if a smooth steel could be used in place of the ribbed plastic, however, I see the reasons as to why a ribbed tensioner must be used in the position that it is located (and designed).

Thanks!