Idler Pulley?

[StickmanC]

On my way to work the pulley just above and to the left ( looking from the front ) of the waterpump flew off and is somewhere on Hwy. 62. Do you know the proper name for this? Is it the idler pulley? 1994 4.0L

 

[88vert]

Yeah thats the idler pulley 12 bucks at autozone

 

[StickmanC]

Thanks 88vert, you wouldn't happen to know if that comes with the bolt or what size it is do you? The bolt for mine is still in the median somewhere

 

[88vert]

I dont think it comes with the bolt

 

[88vert]

When you put your new one on make sure you do not overtighten it. I am not sure on the size bolt sorry

 

[StickmanC]

Don't sweat it, you've helped a great deal. I am just glad it wasn't a dealer only item. Saturday here and no dealership. I'll get some bolts here at work

 

[88vert]

Did it shred your belt also?

 

[StickmanC]

No, believe it or not, but the belt was due to be changed about 3 months ago. Looks I'll be doing that today also.

 

[Steepcreeker]

Might consider cleaning the threads with brake cleaner and using some blue locktite

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I replaced both idler pullies on my 97 V8, granted its a different engine, but the principles are the same. I did a writeup, with photos here:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73405&perpage=20&pagenumber=2

scroll down, it's almost at the bottom.

 

[StickmanC]

I just picked up an idler pulley from AutoZone, it may be the right one but the hole in the pulley is like 11/16" and the threads in the alternator bracket are 3/8". If someone has a picture of a 1st Gen. Explorer it would be appreciated. It is the pulley beside the alternator. It appears as though if the pulley is the right one then the bolt may be a dealer only shouldered bolt

 

[Maniak]

Yes that is the idler pulley and Yes thats a shoulder bolt (I just changed mine 2 weeks ago).

I belive the head on the bolt is 5/8" (I belive it is the same bolt that is on the pulley for the tensioner)

Time to hit a yard OR if you have to, buy a tensioner kit and take the bolt out of your old tensioner and replace the tensioner assembly with the new one. This way you will have a spare tensioner (the spring part) and a spare pulley.

~Mark

 

[StickmanC]

Maniak, while it's fresh in your mine, does that use a regular 3/8" washer in between the pulley and the alternator bracket?

 

[StickmanC]

I am getting the pulley from Ford today. It comes with the 10mm shouldered bolt and the washers. I will take the 1 from Autozone back and get my money. $26 from Ford and yes I did buy some locktite for the threads. I'll let you know how it goes. FYI the bolt on the tensioner pulley is too small but good thought.

 

[StickmanC]

Installed the new pulley tonight and it was a dream. I would recommend to anyone to spend the extra $14 and get the Ford pulley. It comes with the bolt and washers and is metal, not plastic like the one from Autozone. Thanks to those who helped me out