Serpentine Belt Tensioner
02-08-11, 05:25 PM
#17
Great suggestion BattleVer! I ended up buying a Duralast pulley from autozone for $19. I used a 20mm socket and hammer to knock out the center bearing and then inserted this into my original pulley wheel after I tapped out the old and damaged bearing. I saved myself well over a hundred dollars compared to buying the whole assembly and my baby is back to idling like a champ 
For future reference, which pulley or bearing did you guys use?
02-09-11, 06:44 AM
#18
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[QUOTE=Carfreak70;6130181]Why would you buy the whole assembly? They do sell just the pulley ya know...its $17.85 for the whole pulley.....
You're right, but you have to do your research to know this. If you talk to the folks at the Toyota and Lexus parts counter they will tell you that you have to buy the whole assembly as they do not sell the pulley separately. Most of the oem manufacturers however do sell the either the whole assembly or just the pulley by itself.
On my car the tensioner was fine but the pulley wheel center bearing was clearly gone and was making an awful rattle sound when the car was idling. My intial thought was just to switch the pulley completely with an oem replacement. However, when I tried to bolt it on I notice the oem pulley did not fit with the original toyota brand tensioner I had on my car. The oem pulley I had was slightly wider in diameter and depth, and more importantly wouldnt spin after I bolted it on. Thats when I took BatteVer idea to switch out the center bearing of my old pulley wheel. It was a perfect fit. I used a $19 "Duralast" brand pulley from my local autozone.
You're right, but you have to do your research to know this. If you talk to the folks at the Toyota and Lexus parts counter they will tell you that you have to buy the whole assembly as they do not sell the pulley separately. Most of the oem manufacturers however do sell the either the whole assembly or just the pulley by itself.
On my car the tensioner was fine but the pulley wheel center bearing was clearly gone and was making an awful rattle sound when the car was idling. My intial thought was just to switch the pulley completely with an oem replacement. However, when I tried to bolt it on I notice the oem pulley did not fit with the original toyota brand tensioner I had on my car. The oem pulley I had was slightly wider in diameter and depth, and more importantly wouldnt spin after I bolted it on. Thats when I took BatteVer idea to switch out the center bearing of my old pulley wheel. It was a perfect fit. I used a $19 "Duralast" brand pulley from my local autozone.
03-04-11, 08:48 AM
#19
It sounds like this is what I need to replace. The noise is most noticeable at idle. You can't "feel" the noise anywhere, but it is this annoying sound like a shot pulley. It makes a noise inside the cabin like a grinding/whining sound. It sounds like it is coming from the engine, behind the stereo if that makes sense.
As you accelerate, the noise goes away for the most part, although it may be the exhaust note covering the sound.
Does this sound like the tensioner pulley?
As you accelerate, the noise goes away for the most part, although it may be the exhaust note covering the sound.
Does this sound like the tensioner pulley?
Last edited by tftimm; 03-04-11 at 08:55 AM.
04-23-11, 06:13 PM
#20
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I've read a couple threads on modifying the cover because aftermarket tensioners won't fit on right or would leave a gap. Is there anyone out there that found an aftermarket tensioner that'll fit like the oem one? If so please post part brand and number, or is oem the only one with its dimensions?
04-24-11, 12:50 AM
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04-24-11, 06:43 AM
#23
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Yes, because the new one is a sealed bearing it shouldn't make a difference. Realistically I think the biggest thing it would protect against is water but it shouldn't touch up there.
08-21-11, 10:52 AM
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Hi I have a question for u
You can buy just the bearring and replace that. Got mine for something like $15 at walnut auto in city of industry. Take off just the bolt, take the pulley off, couple hits with the hammer and it was out. Couple more hits and the new one was on. One bolt to put the pulley back on and put the belt back. Cheeper then buying the whole thing and easier to install.
When you installed the pulley did it turn freely, or does it turn at all
01-13-16, 03:42 PM
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You can buy just the bearring and replace that. Got mine for something like $15 at walnut auto in city of industry. Take off just the bolt, take the pulley off, couple hits with the hammer and it was out. Couple more hits and the new one was on. One bolt to put the pulley back on and put the belt back. Cheeper then buying the whole thing and easier to install.
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