[ak.frank]

The belt tensioner on my 97 Crew is singing a sour song. There's a bit of play and it wobbles while running. Anyone have to deal with this? Anything to watch out for by removing (i.e. the spring) and hassles re-installing? Is it a total replace or needs a bushing? thanks

 

[JoshR]

Sure have - several times. First time, I had NAPA replace the bearings in the pulley; cost, about $25. Within about six months those bearings grenaded taking out the belt as well. A new pulley at Autozone was $16 (they're a bit more now), with bearings . About a year ago the tensioner arm began wobbling (not just moving in an arc inline with the belt, but moving in and out also), so I replaced the tensioner for about $55 at Autozone. I now keep a spare pulley in the toolbox too, as they're most likely to go when I'm far from home.

Here's what I've learned: To remove the pulley, use a 3/8" 15mm short socket and a piece of 3/4" pipe as a cheater. The pulley itself has reverse threads, so step A is to stand on a bench in front of truck and with the ratchet set on "undo", rotate the wrench from 1:00 to 10:00 and while holding on securely to the cheater, pull the belt out of the way. Gently release the tension on the wrench back to 1:00, flip it to "tighten," and remove the bolt from the center of the pulley (remember, they're reverse threads). If you're just replacing the pulley, reinstallation is the reverse of the above. Replacement of the tensioner is pretty straightforward, if you're doing that too. Keep your mug out of the path of the cheater. Have fun.

Josh

 

[4byr]

I replaced the tensoner and pully twice. The last one took quite a spin down the road in front of me as the truck lost power. I was in the desert and not near a parts store. I was very lucky it didn't grenade the radiator! The first replacement did not last long. I thought I would save money and replace the bearings myself. Worked just fine for a 15k miles or so then gave out again. Replaced all with factory replacements from the stealer. Haven't had a problem since and they seem to still be true at 157k. Replace yours as soon as possible. Once they get a wobble, it is only a matter of time!

 

[ak.frank]

Thanks!

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like a fix sooner than later. 4byr did you get a off the shelf cat delete or have someone fabricate one for you? Right now I'm under the rig changing out the starter and looking the the DP I can't help but think "now, that ain't right". I'm thinking of going 3" DP and while I'm at losing the cat. I know that I run better when I'm not congested . . .