-
Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator,
Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Register Today It's free!
Idler pulley
- Thread starter EK91YJ
- Start date
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!.
96eb96
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- October 20, 2004
- Messages
- 3,530
- Reaction score
- 329
- City, State
- Albany, NY
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 96 EB V6 OHV 4WD
just change the whole pulley, the bearing will probably cost you more! Change your tensioner pulley too, they are known to break.
alohamonte
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 4, 2007
- Messages
- 783
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Glendale, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4
how do you know (symptoms) when it's time to change the idler pulley?
96eb96
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- October 20, 2004
- Messages
- 3,530
- Reaction score
- 329
- City, State
- Albany, NY
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 96 EB V6 OHV 4WD
usually when you know you will be calling a tow truck. They probably make some noise for a while before they go. They will often feel rough and inhibited when you spin them. They usually fail catastrophically.
Best thing is to change them on these trucks if they are over 10yrs old/100K miles. Same for the tensioner pulley, just take off the assembly and swap the pulley.
alohamonte
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 4, 2007
- Messages
- 783
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Glendale, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4
Argh!
My 98 has 140K on the clock... that pulley is coming out! ASAP
What's a good brand to use for the idler and belt tensioner? Looks like Goodyear makes the bet tensioner. I dont want to get a Duralast idler pulley, do I?
My 98 has 140K on the clock... that pulley is coming out! ASAP
What's a good brand to use for the idler and belt tensioner? Looks like Goodyear makes the bet tensioner. I dont want to get a Duralast idler pulley, do I?
96eb96
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- October 20, 2004
- Messages
- 3,530
- Reaction score
- 329
- City, State
- Albany, NY
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 96 EB V6 OHV 4WD
Gates, Dayco or Motorcraft. Cant hurt to call a discount online dealer. Goodyear is probably ok. Anything else..you just dont know
BBQ Bandit
Active Member
- Joined
- October 14, 2008
- Messages
- 98
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Central PA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '97 XLT 5.0 AWD
Its was sqealing!
Dang!
Just started to make some terrible noises from the idler (117K).
Good thing it was posted earlier... thanks guys!
Replaced the belt (Gatorback), idler, and tensioner for $100 for cost of parts.
Will owe my neignbor 2 racks of smoked racks of ribs!
Dang!
Just started to make some terrible noises from the idler (117K).
Good thing it was posted earlier... thanks guys!
Replaced the belt (Gatorback), idler, and tensioner for $100 for cost of parts.
Will owe my neignbor 2 racks of smoked racks of ribs!
alohamonte
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 4, 2007
- Messages
- 783
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Glendale, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4
Sunny Sunday, good day for a idler and tensioner. The idler pulley has this shim/washer between the pulley and the block. Seems to me that this creates some play in the pulley which I noticed while truck was idling. Bolt is tight as can be. Is there a trick to tightening up that shim/washer prior to installation of the new pulley?
I didn't get to the tensioner because the idler pulley had me scratching my head.
I didn't get to the tensioner because the idler pulley had me scratching my head.
alohamonte
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 4, 2007
- Messages
- 783
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Glendale, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4
The play is a little back and forth motion, along the bolt. Maybe a few millimeters.
Opera House
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- August 19, 2002
- Messages
- 2,106
- Reaction score
- 6
- City, State
- Cincinnati, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Explorer 3.5L base
I've been slapping grease in these bearings for years. The thing you really need to worry about is the tensioner. If it looks a little off angle, white plastic will be more visible on one side, it needs to be replaced. Problem seems to happen after 100K. A really shabby design compared to first gen.
alohamonte
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 4, 2007
- Messages
- 783
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Glendale, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4
So the new idle pulley shimmy is nothing to worry about? I'm at 140k, and I'm replacing original parts here.
I will say, that there was no visible or audible sign of malfunction with the original parts. I'm replacing them strictly as a precaution. The original belt tensioner still has a lot of spring left in it. I had to use a lot of strength and body weight to push it down to release the belt. Tensioner is still very snappy.
I will say, that there was no visible or audible sign of malfunction with the original parts. I'm replacing them strictly as a precaution. The original belt tensioner still has a lot of spring left in it. I had to use a lot of strength and body weight to push it down to release the belt. Tensioner is still very snappy.
Opera House
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- August 19, 2002
- Messages
- 2,106
- Reaction score
- 6
- City, State
- Cincinnati, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Explorer 3.5L base
The springs never wear out, it is he rotating surface they mount on. I went remove mine for some other maintenance reason. When I lossened up the bolt a few turns the whole assembly flew apart. The metal section that retains the arm is very thin and wears through.
alohamonte
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- October 4, 2007
- Messages
- 783
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Glendale, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Explorer 4.0 4x4
Mechanic called, said I installed the idler pulley correctly. A few millimeters of play is within spec (which surprises me). They also put in the belt tensioner that I supplied.
The power steering whine is still there. Replacing the belt and pulleys didn't reduce the noise. They said $300 for a new pump and system flush. I actually think that's a pretty good price for this job. I hate working with fluids - I always take a bath. I will hold off on that job for a few weeks though.
I have a big 500+ mile trip coming up for Memorial Day weekend. They said the truck is fine and is good to go.
The power steering whine is still there. Replacing the belt and pulleys didn't reduce the noise. They said $300 for a new pump and system flush. I actually think that's a pretty good price for this job. I hate working with fluids - I always take a bath. I will hold off on that job for a few weeks though.
I have a big 500+ mile trip coming up for Memorial Day weekend. They said the truck is fine and is good to go.
Explorer Features
Explorer Features
