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Symptom: squekin sound at idle, harsh sound on low speed (engaging AC I think).
Did not find new pulleys fast enough for my 2007 (100k miles) car so I just changed the bearings from the serpentine tensioner pulleys.
The bearing size:
6203 (40x17x12mm) for the upper tensioner pulley.
6303 (47x17x14mm) for the lower idler pulley.
I suggest to use quality bearings, not the $1 chinese ones. Remember to buy plastic shielded bearings.
Procedure:
1. loosen belt
2. loosen 2 bolts holding tensioner (normal righthand threads)
3. remove tensioner (I had to remove idler first)
4. remove tensioner pulley (LEFThand threads)
5. beat the old bearing out with socket or similar
6. press new bearings, avoid scratching/damaging pulleys. press from outer edge (I used old bearing as a press tool).
7. put all back in reverse
Belt can be left loose on its place while pressing if you don't change it also (recommended though).
Bearings are definitely cheaper than replacing the whole thing but some people don't have the knowledge, time, nor patience to go through this. Kudos to you
I think it was about +10min per pulley more than compared to just replacing the whole pulleys. I would say a 1 to 3 hour job in total - depending on how much petrol you have on your head and the supply of the beer
hope this helps someone, my time went on finding the bearing sizes before getting them out of the car from the internet...
Hi i've been lurking around the site for the solution to my problem. (ticking on idle) I would like to replace the bearing on the idle and tensioner pulleys as you did. I dont know which bearings to buy though, there seem to be a lot of options. Could you tell me which ones you purchased? and how are they holding up. Thanks you for this write up it is very helpful.
Hi i've been lurking around the site for the solution to my problem. (ticking on idle) I would like to replace the bearing on the idle and tensioner pulleys as you did. I dont know which bearings to buy though, there seem to be a lot of options. Could you tell me which ones you purchased? and how are they holding up. Thanks you for this write up it is very helpful.
Thanks.
hi im in the process of doing this. Can you confirm if that nut goes on the back of the top pulley? It fell out of somewhere while undoing the bolts...
Not sure anymore.. I think there was nut on the left (upper?) and no nut on the other. But you cant gent it wrong since the alignment is tight and this can be put together in only one way.
Not sure anymore.. I think there was nut on the left (upper?) and no nut on the other. But you cant gent it wrong since the alignment is tight and this can be put together in only one way.
Thank you it was the upper. I just finished the job and the noise is gone!! So relieved. I bought Japan bearings from Amazon (Nachi). My RL sounds like a nice car now.
Thank you it was the upper. I just finished the job and the noise is gone!! So relieved. I bought Japan bearings from Amazon (Nachi). My RL sounds like a nice car now.
Thanks for the Diy mate.
Oh and if anyone has problems getting their old bearing out; I hit mine with some penetrating oil. Then grabbed two hammers (one with a ball end) and hit them together to get it out. My old bearings put up a fight.
08-08-2017, 05:45 AM
A-007: DIY: Idler pulley & tensioner pulley BEARING change
