Need alternater decoupler help

Bob V · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:06 pm

The decoupler on our 2005 is froze up (belt chirp at idle). It was acting up when it was still under warrantee, but, of course, they found nothing wrong. Anyway, I need to get a new one and the dealer can't find the part #. They want me to buy a NEW alternator and hope that it comes with the decoupler, if not, I still have the bur the alternator anyway. Does anyone have a part #, or, better yet, a place i can get replacement?
TIA Bob V

jmoomaw · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:22 pm

According to the Shop manual there are two different types of decouplers.

On has splines in the pulley and the other has a hex opening. I do not see any part numbers.

Neither one has part numbers that I could find in the manual. That may explain why they couldn't find the part.

This reminds me I had better find a mechanic before I need one who has some experience with diesels and CRDs...

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:29 pm

I see no way to remove the one on my engine.

I see no mention of it in the parts fiches.

It looks like it comes with the alternator only.

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

What is a alternator decoupler anyway. I just replaced the pulley on my alternator and greased the three other pulleys that the serpentine belt ride on and all is very quiet now. No chirping at idle. You could also put some dielectric grease on the ribbed side of your belt to check and see if your chirp is from the pulleys or the belt. Oh the part # that I bought to replace the alternator pulley was 53013554AE The price I paid was $53.00 plus tax, the part has been redesigned 2 times since the original on my 05 crd. Good luck

jmoomaw · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:19 am

It starts on page 8F-37 of the shop manual. Apparently it is not used on all engines, takes special tool to remove and is supposed to stay dry...no grease.

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

What does this decoupler look like. I would think that all 2.8 crds in the us would have the same parts on the engine.

danoid · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:13 pm

Looks like for '05 there's only alternator 56044672AB, no decoupler listed.

For '06 there is a separate decoupler 53013554AE / alternator 56044672AB.

Will the decoupler 53013554AE work in an '06 alternator 56044672AB? Well it's in the parts lists.

Will the decoupler 53013554AE work in an '05 alternator 56044672AB? That's anyone's guess. I'd give it a try before buying a new alternator.

What is a decoupler? (from the service manual)

The decoupler (Fig. 5) is a one-way
clutch designed to help reduce belt tension fluctuation,
vibration, reduce fatigue loads, improve belt life,
reduce hubloads on components, and reduce noise.

How to diagnose a decoupler? (it's no wonder some mechanics are less than wizards with info like this)

CONDITION Does not drive generator (generator not charging)
POSSIBLE CAUSES Internal failure
CORRECTION Replace decoupler

CONDITION Noise coming from decoupler
POSSIBLE CAUSES Internal failure
CORRECTION Replace decoupler

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:13 pm

Bob V wrote:

The decoupler on our 2005 is froze up (belt chirp at idle). It was acting up when it was still under warrantee, but, of course, they found nothing wrong. Anyway, I need to get a new one and the dealer can't find the part #. They want me to buy a NEW alternator and hope that it comes with the decoupler, if not, I still have the bur the alternator anyway. Does anyone have a part #, or, better yet, a place i can get replacement?
TIA Bob V

Bob, do you have a writeup of that service, i.e.: Customer complains of squeaking noise coming from accessory belt area ? If you do, and you can show that you did bring it in while it was under warranty and they did nothing, you might get better treatment. You may actually want to go to a competing dealer. A lot of them are out to get service customers these days and may be willing to bend the mileage rules if it wins your business.

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

Thanks for the answer on what the decoupler is. It is the pulley on the alternator with a big coil spring inside that tightens against a urethane bushing, my coil spring broke in half and cracked the urethane bushing, the first sign that it was getting weak was a little squeak coming from the front of the alternator which was only there at idle. I showed the broken part to a mechanic and he said that was a dumb use for a coil spring since they are supposed to be compressed and not used in a twisting motion like they were used in this design. Maybe that is why they have been redesigned twice since the original part .

danoid · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:15 pm

kccrd wrote:

the first sign that it was getting weak was a little squeak coming from the front of the alternator which was only there at idle.

EEK! I guess I better inspect mine. I thought it was the fan. I'll listen a little harder next time my head's under the hood.

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

My mechanic also told me to put a little dielectric grease on the rib side of the belt to eliminate any squeak from the serpentine belt then if you still have any squeal it is from one of the pulleys. I took the three pulleys off and cleaned them real good and put some high temperature grease in the middle they are ball bearing type pulleys but the middle shaft did not have any grease in them at all I just thought it would help quiet them down a little and it did. No problem in about 15,000 miles and all is much quieter up front. All three pulleys were the same including the tension er pulley on the passenger side of the engine, just make sure you tie the serpentine belt up to something to keep tension on it so it will not fall down off the crank shaft pulley it is a real witch getting it back around that pulley and then looping it around the other pulleys to get them all lined up for proper running. I just took tension off the tension er pulley with my ratchet driver and appropriate socket to loosen the belt.

gmctd · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:51 am

Fairly dumb mechanic to not know the difference between a coil spring designed for axial tension and a coil spring designed for rotary tension - millions of spring-clutch type one-way couplings are in service in many types of equipment and appliances all over the world, not even to mention belt-tensioner springs as rotary tension examples - be sure to check your bill for distributor cap and rotor replacement......................

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:57 am

gmctd wrote:

Fairly dumb mechanic to not know the difference between a coil spring intended for axial tension and a coil spring designed for rotary tension - millions of spring-clutch type one-way couplings are in service in many types of equipment and appliances all over the world, not even to mention belt-tensioner springs as rotary tension examples - be sure to check your bill for distributor cap and rotor replacement......................

They were in use over 40 years ago when I repaired electric Royal typewriters too :roll:

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

I had no bill since I replaced the pulley myself it just threads on hand tight since it is always turning right. The newly designed pulley is much shorter than the original , must have had a problem with the original spring .

Bob V · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:15 pm

dgeist wrote:

Bob V wrote:

The decoupler on our 2005 is froze up (belt chirp at idle). It was acting up when it was still under warrantee, but, of course, they found nothing wrong. Anyway, I need to get a new one and the dealer can't find the part #. They want me to buy a NEW alternator and hope that it comes with the decoupler, if not, I still have the bur the alternator anyway. Does anyone have a part #, or, better yet, a place i can get replacement?
TIA Bob V

Bob, do you have a writeup of that service, i.e.: Customer complains of squeaking noise coming from accessory belt area ? If you do, and you can show that you did bring it in while it was under warranty and they did nothing, you might get better treatment. You may actually want to go to a competing dealer. A lot of them are out to get service customers these days and may be willing to bend the mileage rules if it wins your business.

First, thanks to all for your help!!!! Looks like I'm SOL on this. I just dont have the time too deal with the dealer and fight for the warrantee. I'm going to try the decoupler for the 06 and see what happens

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:02 pm

Bob V wrote:

dgeist wrote:

Bob V wrote:

The decoupler on our 2005 is froze up (belt chirp at idle). It was acting up when it was still under warrantee, but, of course, they found nothing wrong. Anyway, I need to get a new one and the dealer can't find the part #. They want me to buy a NEW alternator and hope that it comes with the decoupler, if not, I still have the bur the alternator anyway. Does anyone have a part #, or, better yet, a place i can get replacement?
TIA Bob V

Bob, do you have a writeup of that service, i.e.: Customer complains of squeaking noise coming from accessory belt area ? If you do, and you can show that you did bring it in while it was under warranty and they did nothing, you might get better treatment. You may actually want to go to a competing dealer. A lot of them are out to get service customers these days and may be willing to bend the mileage rules if it wins your business.

First, thanks to all for your help!!!! Looks like I'm SOL on this. I just dont have the time too deal with the dealer and fight for the warrantee. I'm going to try the decoupler for the 06 and see what happens

Sounds like an Upgrade to me :!:

gmctd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:04 am

Pulley - 53013554AD
Cap --- 53013559AA

Bob V · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:41 pm

gmctd wrote:

Pulley - 53013554AD
Cap --- 53013559AA

Is the cap the plastic piece that snaps in the end of the pully? Does this fit the 2005?

kccrd · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 pm **Posts:** 267

Yes, But the new part # is 53013554AE not AD I guess they have redesigned it again. That is the part # my dealer ordered for my 05.

gmctd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:18 pm

Just give'em the numbers, let them figger out the letters - that's what they're being paid to do......................

Need alternater decoupler help

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