Wow... good timing on this post. Just today I noticed this same type of sound and thought this may be the problem. I'll go buy a new bearing this weekend and fix. Thanks!

 

Yeah, I was told by my mechanic that it's the idler and it needs to be replaced. The belt is not whats causing it but the idler pieces themselves.

They aren't that expensive to replace and should be done every 100K miles anyway.

I'm going to have it done in a couple of weeks too.

Please post how you guys have it done so we can compare.

Cool thanks.

Anthracite SC

 

This is the bearing that I bought yesterday. Tonight it will be replaced.

 

Thanks VSsc400! for that pic!

 

Changed the bearing last night. Most of the noise went away but there is still a sound there. I think I should have changed both the bearings. This is what I did last night.

1. I pushed down on the pulley to loosen the belt.
2. Took a 14mm socket wrench and loosened the bolt in the middle.
3. Removed The pulley
4. with the biggest socket out of my wrench box and a hammer I drove out the bearing (it was stuck with gunk)
5. Cleaned the pulley
6. Put the new bearing in (used a rubber mallet) with the old bearing on top of the new one to drive it in flush.
7. Put the pulley back on and pushed it down to re-install the belt.
8. tightened the bolt.

started the car and much quieter now. Some pics here.

 

#1

 

#2

 

3

you can see the old and the new bearing.

 

4

 

picture with the new bearing on the pulley with the belt on (without the center bolt)

 

now the only question I have is what bearing does the other pulley (you can see part of the pulley on the right) take?

 

Hey VSsc400!

Love the detail! That's the same condition my pulley is in, yuck! Just to be sure, which direction did you turn the bolt to loose it?

 

I turned right to loosen to bolt. Normally left = loose but on this pulley its right = loose.

 

How much did the bearings cost u?
I wanted to know so I can guage how much my mechanic is charging me for the work

 

From the posts on the 1st page I believe the bearing cost about 5 bucks. There is no real labor to do this. If your good with tools you can do this yourself!