Serpentine Belt Idler Pulley Replacement Bearings

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:01 pm

Did anyone ever successfully replace the bearings in the Serpentine idler pulleys?

DOC

papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2012 7:12 am

I don't know but if the OEM pulleys are like the NAPA 36101 substitute the pulley is steel so it shouldn't be a big deal, with the right press, to press out the old bearing and press in a new one alhtough it looks to me like a bit of support on the "back" side of the bearing might be in order.

That said I don't know bearing size or whether it would be cost effective. The NAPA pulley is all of $20 but the bearing is Chinese which may or may not be an issue.

RJM · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:08 am

Yes, the bearing is a standard 6203. mark the position so you can assemble the same way, drill out the three rivets on a drill press , split the two halves of the housing and pop in your new bearing. I used three high quality machine screws in place of the rivets with a drop of Loc-tite. Also check the two reverse thread bolts that hold the idlers on. One of mine was stretched out so I replaced both for good measure. total cost about $30.00 for all three including the bolts. Considering the stress and heat these bearings are under, I would avoid cheap off-shore bearings.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:06 am

Thanks! So, is that an SKF number or???

DOC

arengant · **Posted:** Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:36 pm

Back from the dead...

I need a new idler pulley and Amazon sells a gates (and ACdelco) with the same part numbers as the NAPA 36101. For anyone with the NAPA one, is this the same one?

http://www.amazon.com/Gates-36101-Belt-Tensioner-Pulley/dp/B000IY7RE0/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Auberon · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:39 am

Doc, Just about every manufacturer makes a 6203. So common I even keep a couple in my shed as they fit power tools and all sorts of kita and the KJ

.
Just need to specify seals both sides in this case.
Cheers

Srytrucker · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 2:56 pm

So these pulleys have been used successfully I place of OEM. Thanks

TJ2 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:15 pm

arengent,

The Amazon feedback on that pulley isn't good. Guy says, "box says made in US (or Canada). . . but part says made in China."

Haven't checked, but the possibility of the NAPA pulleys being made in China is not remote (their fuel filters are).

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:35 pm

I just bought bearings from Napa for my crappy Cub Cadet riding mower to rebuild my spindles, I think they were 6203, and the boxes were marked "made in china." Time will tell.

arengant · **Posted:** Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:56 pm

I have the pulley from amazon in my garage, it does say china, I was planning on getting to it today and I will compare pictures.

arengant · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:44 am

I never priced out the OEM Serpentine Belt Idler Pulleys, but I will be buying two pretty soon. I bought the 36101 Gates version from Amazon, and it's the same diameter, but it is made in china (the OEM one has an NTN bearing) and it does NOT roll freely. It makes maybe a 1/4 -1/2 revolution when I spin it, versus the OEM with 100k spins a few full revolutions when I spin it with less force. The Gates pulley is deeper, and has a rounded edge which allows it to only mount one direction. Luckily there is enough clearance to mount it to the engine.

here is a picture showing the face of the Gate and two OEM

Here is a picture showing the depth.

Here is it mounted

And one more with the new Gates belt also from Amazon. The belt was maybe a half inch shorter than my OEM belt (only about 30k on the OEM one, looks perfect so I will hold on to it for a spare)

I am assuming this Gates Pulley is the same as the 6101 from Napa if you decide to go that route.

*EDIT* IDparts has the pulleys for 33 bucks http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2884 and I paid like 16 on Amazon, not worth saving 35 bucks for two in my book.

Srytrucker · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:23 am

Again do we need 2 or 3 and I think I will be getting OEM. Thanks

arengant · **Posted:** Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:51 pm

Srytrucker wrote:

Again do we need 2 or 3 and I think I will be getting OEM. Thanks

Three, two are idler pulleys and the third you can use to replace the pulley on the tensioner itself. If the idler pulley needs to be replaced by all logic the tensioner should be replaced also.

jeepjohn · **Joined:** Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:18 pm **Posts:** 6

Hi all
Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I have noticed a lot of free play and chirping coming from my 2006 CRD's idler pulley. Is it very difficult to remove and replace by myself? (looks pretty tight down there!)
Many thanks!

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:13 pm

Not hard.
The bolt is reverse thread.

jeepjohn · **Joined:** Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:18 pm **Posts:** 6

Arrgh. Looks like I have to replace the alternator pulley too. The chirping noise seems to be coming from the decoupler, although the topmost idler pulley has a lot of play in it as well.
Thanks for the reply, flash7210.

Billwill · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:36 am

jeepjohn wrote:

Arrgh. Looks like I have to replace the alternator pulley too. The chirping noise seems to be coming from the decoupler, although the topmost idler pulley has a lot of play in it as well.
Thanks for the reply, flash7210.

Try get the Litens 920834 alternator pulley....it is greased and sealed as apposed to the open dry OEM one.

I have only heard good reports about the Litens and have been trying for months now to get hold of one here in SA or shipped from Overseas to no avail!

Silverbullet · **Posted:** Mon Dec 21, 2015 10:19 pm

arengant wrote:

Srytrucker wrote:

Again do we need 2 or 3 and I think I will be getting OEM. Thanks

Three, two are idler pulleys and the third you can use to replace the pulley on the tensioner itself. If the idler pulley needs to be replaced by all logic the tensioner should be replaced also.

Did you end up getting oem pulleys? I need some, belt is about i
To go :/

herdman · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 7:09 pm

Using this thread to ask my question.
I has successfully changed the bearings on the 2 static pulleys. :BANANA:

Would anyone know what thread...left or right...is the bolt on the tension pulley. I'm not looking at removing the whole assembly, I just want to get the pulley off. I already attempted turning clockwise by following my intuition...doesn't feel right when I put pressure on the tool...feels too hard. :shock:

don't want to have that look on my face when I strip the bolt.
Please help. Thanks.

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 7:53 pm

The bolt that holds the tensioner on is standard thread. Righty tighty/lefty loosey

Serpentine Belt Idler Pulley Replacement Bearings

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