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Re: Idler pulley replacements. Where to order? Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Mon, 19 Feb 2001 13:52:53 In Reply to: Idler pulley replacements. Where to order?, Sully, Sun, 18 Feb 2001 23:59:33 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Since you said idler pulleyS, I assume you've got an 88 or older car. The older cars have separate AC and serpentine belts. The newer cars drive the AC off the one serpentine belt.
First, yes, you can just press out the bearings, but I choose to buy new pulleys. Try the places that advertise at the bottom of the page - I've had good luck with Sobstory, but I'm sure the others are fine. MUCH cheaper than the dealer.
If you have two belts (and why not replace the belts while you're at it?), see this post:
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9000/index.html?bID=58994
It will tell you how to remove and tension belts, and replace the serpentine belt idler pulley. For the AC idler pulley, just keep unscrewing the bolt, and it will come out.
You can replace the idler pulleys from above in about 30 minutes total.
Replacing the main pulley is a different matter. You replace the idler pulleys because their bearing die. The main pulley doesn't have a bearing. The main pulley (aka harmonic balancer) is actually two pulleys connected by a rubber disk. The disk has been known to break down over time. The sypmtom is a loud squeal at startup that gets worse and worse until the pulley halves separate.
Replacing the main pulley requires you to remove the fender inner liner, pull the belts off, and remove the bolt holding the main pulley on. Unless you suspect the main pulley is shot, this isn't something I would do 'just because' - especially since a main pulley is expensive - over $100 mail order.
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