Drive Belt Tensioner Issue

[cabowally]

Guys:

My 03 4R drive belt tensioner had a case of the squeaks so I pulled the belt and gave it a wiggle. Enough play to suggest the pulley bearing was bad. Ordered a new pulley from NAPA (wrong pulley size, thanks very much, but the bearing was the same). Pulled the old pulley today and discovered that the bearing was completely seized. Put the new bearing into the old pulley and put it back on only to discover that the seized bearing had just kept spinning on the aluminum post of the tensioner assembly and worn it down enough that it the assembly and pulley need replacing.

FYI: don’t assume that the pulley bearing is the only issue on a problem belt tensioner. Off to order the whole freaking thing…

Hope this helps someone.

 

[DC Dude]

Guys:

My 03 4R drive belt tensioner had a case of the squeaks so I pulled the belt and gave it a wiggle. Enough play to suggest the pulley bearing was bad. Ordered a new pulley from NAPA (wrong pulley size, thanks very much, but the bearing was the same). Pulled the old pulley today and discovered that the bearing was completely seized. Put the new bearing into the old pulley and put it back on only to discover that the seized bearing had just kept spinning on the aluminum post of the tensioner assembly and worn it down enough that it the assembly and pulley need replacing.

FYI: don’t assume that the pulley bearing is the only issue on a problem belt tensioner. Off to order the whole freaking thing…

Hope this helps someone.

Any pics?

 

[cabowally]

roger....

New Napa pulley on right with it's bearing in the old pulley on left.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4816-img00028-20110608-1846.html

Belt Tensioner Assy without the pulley. The aluminum post has been worn down and is no longer to spec.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4817-img00029-20110608-1848.html

Less zoom...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4818-img00030-20110608-1848.html

Good 1/8th to 1/4 inch of wobble.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4819-img00031-20110608-1850.html

 

[DC Dude]

roger....

New Napa pulley on right with it's bearing in the old pulley on left.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4816-img00028-20110608-1846.html

Belt Tensioner Assy without the pulley. The aluminum post has been worn down and is no longer to spec.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4817-img00029-20110608-1848.html

Less zoom...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4818-img00030-20110608-1848.html

Good 1/8th to 1/4 inch of wobble.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/members/cabowally-albums-stuff-picture4819-img00031-20110608-1850.html

Thanks, but for some reason, those links didn't work.

 

[zerowkul98]

You just helped me!!!

Im doing a 90k service soon, and was debating whether or not i should replace the drive belt tensioners....after reading your posts, i most DEF. WILL!

Thanks!