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Idler pulleys and belt tensioner $$$

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by fla_sun, Oct 28, 2016.

  1. Oct 28, 2016 at 4:52 PM
    #1
    fla_sun

    fla_sun [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My 06 4.0 has a bad idler pulley that appears to be wearing a fairly new belt.
    Originally I was just going to replace the one pulley but the plan now is to shotgun the problem and install the complete Gates kit. (Pulleys, tensioner and belt)
    The best price I have found is $176. Anyone here know of a better deal?
    Thanks...
     
  2. Oct 28, 2016 at 7:49 PM
    #2
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    I had seen several kits on Rock Auto but cannot remember the costs, you may want to have a look on there.
     
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  3. Oct 28, 2016 at 7:51 PM
    #3
    JMWolf96

    JMWolf96 Active Member

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    I am about to do the same tomorrow. Dont order the whole Gates kit. Unless there is a problem with the tensioner itself, just replace the pulley. Get two Gates 36174 and two 36173 pulleys and the belt. You'll save a little cash and a ton of time! Shop around a bit, but 179.00 is about as low as I could find.
     
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  4. Oct 28, 2016 at 11:01 PM
    #4
    sparkystaco

    sparkystaco Well-Known Member

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    I bought the Gates kit from Rock Auto last year for $156 IIRC, took about 3hrs to change it all.
    Lots of guys will say don't mess with the tensioner itself if it's not bad, but remember that spring has been bouncing around for 10yrs. Yah it's kind of a bitch to change, but why spend the time doing half of the job when you can do it all and have piece of mind that it will last another 10yrs.
     
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  5. Oct 29, 2016 at 4:47 AM
    #5
    Northern Taco

    Northern Taco Well-Known Member

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    I got a continental kit off eBay for $146 and it comes with koyo bearings made in Japan.

    That's belt, 3 idler pulleys, tensioner arm assembly with pulley.
     
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    #5
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  6. Oct 30, 2016 at 9:46 AM
    #6
    fla_sun

    fla_sun [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the replies.
    I will stick with the entire kit approach, upper pulley has side play, lower pulley has resistance and the tension pulley has a rattle. Looks like they all have Koyo bearings too.
    Think I'll try the Gates kit from Rock Auto. Does Gates use Timken bearings?
    Not too impressed for only 56K miles.

    Non bump update: installed the three pulleys after work. Had less than an hour before dark.

    The Gates kit is nice but doesn't look any better quality than stock. It is made in Canada so that must be why it was the most expensive. Can't tell what bearings it uses.
    It did quiet the noises substantially!

    I'll have to wait for a day off to do the tensioner. Doesn't look like fun.

    Put the upper pulleys on wrong and had to re-install. The belt wasn't riding in the center of the pulley. The center insert goes on the outside of the pulley.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2016

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