About to do a belt system overhaul. Last minute questions!

[xxaarraa]

EDIT: updated with part numbers ordered.

Since I am at 109k miles on my 08 V6, I have decided to do a complete belt system overhaul - the plan is to replace:

• Tensioner pulley: Gates 36174 or Dayco 89169
• Lower (AC) idler pulley: Gates 36174 or Dayco 89169 (yes same part number as tensioner pulley)
• 2x Upper idler pulleys: Dayco 89158
• Serpentine belt: Bando 7PK2120

I have already read all these threads:

• http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/152196-idler-pulley-replacement.html
• http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/147348-tensioner-pulley.html
• tensioner pulley bearing cheap fix - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
• http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ging-serpentine-belts-v6-1gr-fe-4runners.html

My questions are:

• I know the tensioner pulley is reverse threaded. But what about the idler pullies? Are idler pullies also reverse threaded or are they conventional?
• I ordered two "Dayco 89158" pulleys - for the uppers, one "Dayco 89169" for the lower idler pulley. I cannot seem to find the part # for the tensioner pulley. All the threads seem to walk through how to replace the bearing on the tensioner pulley or the entire tensioner assembly itself. I don't want to do either, I just want to put a new pulley on. Can anyone share part # of the V6 tensioner pulley?
• Are any of the pulleys hard to reach? I don't plan on taking apart the radiator fan, alternator, etc. and hoping to do this whole thing by just reaching in. Is that possible and any special tools or workarounds that would make life easier?

 

[fdbyrne]

The idler pulleys are not backwards threaded. They are normal. Only the tensioner pulley is backward threaded.

You don't have to take the fan or fan shroud off to get to any of the pulleys. I did find it helpful to take off the front skid guard to access some things from underneath.

I can't help you with the part number for the tensioner pulley. I ordered the Gates kit that comes with the idler pulleys and a new complete tensioner assembly. I then just pulled the pulley off of the new tensioner and put it on the old one so that I didn't have to replace the entire tensioning mechanism.

 

[xxaarraa]

The idler pulleys are not backwards threaded. They are normal. Only the tensioner pulley is backward threaded.

You don't have to take the fan or fan shroud off to get to any of the pulleys. I did find it helpful to take off the front skid guard to access some things from underneath.

I can't help you with the part number for the tensioner pulley. I ordered the Gates kit that comes with the idler pulleys and a new complete tensioner assembly. I then just pulled the pulley off of the new tensioner and put it on the old one so that I didn't have to replace the entire tensioning mechanism.

Thanks fdbyrne, glad to know only tensioner pulley is reverse threaded.

I did more digging and found two sources including this post below that say the tensioner pulley is the same as the lower idler pulley. I just ordered a second lower idler pulley, and will post back when I have completed the job.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/idler-pulleys-tensioner-pulley-serpentine-belt.280576/page-2

 

[iBison]

You can replace just the bearings and save.

 

[riceandpho]

have you order one of these kits from rockauto?
More Information for GATES ACK070834
GATES ACK070834 Accessory Belt Drive Kit
or the dayco kit
DAYCO KIT831BCK
has everything you need, full atuo tensioner assembly, 2 upper idle pulleys and one lower idler pulley and belt.
the gates one looks like it has all the pulleys, but the dayco looks like its missing a pulley.

 

[xxaarraa]

have you order one of these kits from rockauto?
More Information for GATES ACK070834
GATES ACK070834 Accessory Belt Drive Kit
or the dayco kit
DAYCO KIT831BCK
has everything you need, full atuo tensioner assembly, 2 upper idle pulleys and one lower idler pulley and belt.
the gates one looks like it has all the pulleys, but the dayco looks like its missing a pulley.

Hey, thanks for the link. The kit seems like a good idea. Except I have no intention of replacing the entire belt tensioner assembly. That's a fairly big job that needs the alternator and AC compressor to come out, and I'm not doing that right now.

The kit may still be the way to go for the convenience of all in one place!

 

[riceandpho]

Tensioner idler pulley is lefty tightly and rightly loossey. Haveing that kit is nice. I think it's cheaper t9 do the kit verse buying everything seperate. Might as well take out the alternator and do a big 3 if it hasn't been done. Pretty sure you have some power hungry devices.

 

[iBison]

Thanks fdbyrne, glad to know only tensioner pulley is reverse threaded.

I did more digging and found two sources including this post below that say the tensioner pulley is the same as the lower idler pulley. I just ordered a second lower idler pulley, and will post back when I have completed the job.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/idler-pulleys-tensioner-pulley-serpentine-belt.280576/page-2

The top two pulleys are the same. The bottom one is similar, or the same, but uses two of the same bearings, it takes more stress than the others. The lower is the one I had that was failing. The tensioner pulley, at least the bearing is NOT the same as any of the others. See my thread here where I replaced all of the bearings for the pulleys. Our motion industries store said they could get the proper sized idler bearings without buying the sleeves, but I couldn't wait for them. You probably have a store near you.

I think you will find it not difficult and save you headaches if you take the fan and the shroud off. It give you a lot more room. If you decide to replace the whole tensioner the AC pump has to come off.

 

[xxaarraa]

Alright guys, I just did this. Quite simple, took an hour total. I found it very easy to work from underneath the truck for everything including routing the new belt. I just removed my front skid and everything was easily accessible.

Here it is after I finished everything:

All the old stuff:

I did notice that the tensioner pulley is different from both the upper and the lower idler pulleys. I would have liked to replace the tensioner pulley also, but the extra upper I had wasn't a fit so I put the old tensioner pulley back on.

I recommend this to anyone with 90-100k miles. ~$150 or so, and less than an hour.

 

[Gen4SR5]

After reading your post, I decided to change my pulleys as well. I posted this in another thread but thought you might be able to help also.


This was my first time ever changing something like this and I noticed these wear patterns on the new belt. Is this normal?

If you look on the edges there is some sort of wear. I checked the route 3 times and I drove the car for a good 10-15 min with the AC on. There's also some type of wear on the new pulley. Not sure if this is normal as well. No weird pulley noise.

This may be something completey unrelated or something I've never noticed, but when I accelerate now I hear a clicking noise. No click at idle besides the normal v6 click.

145k on the ODO

 

[riceandpho]

After reading your post, I decided to change my pulleys as well. I posted this in another thread but thought you might be able to help also.


This was my first time ever changing something like this and I noticed these wear patterns on the new belt. Is this normal?

If you look on the edges there is some sort of wear. I checked the route 3 times and I drove the car for a good 10-15 min with the AC on. There's also some type of wear on the new pulley. Not sure if this is normal as well. No weird pulley noise.

This may be something completey unrelated or something I've never noticed, but when I accelerate now I hear a clicking noise. No click at idle besides the normal v6 click.

145k on the ODO

just look like the belt is not on one of the pulleys perfectly, i say the one next to the compressor, just pull it towards you a little bit. but it shouldnt hurt anything.

 

[Gen4SR5]

just look like the belt is not on one of the pulleys perfectly, i say the one next to the compressor, just pull it towards you a little bit. but it shouldnt hurt anything.

Thanks for the reply. I checked everything and it seems to be seated over the pulley ok. I'm going to keep an eye on it.

 

[liqourish]

Check this out
Gates Racing OEM Serpentine belt replacement | X-Runner Underground

Im installing mines tomarrow at 80k

 

[riceandpho]

it looks ok, i wouldnt worry too much about it, usually you check the groves of the belt and determine if its good or not.

 

[Gen4SR5]

it looks ok, i wouldnt worry too much about it, usually you check the groves of the belt and determine if its good or not.

Alright, thanks for the reassurance! I checked the grooves and everything looks good, no abnormal wear on any of them.