idler pulley bearing.....

Ive got a 2004 and putting belts on. These are well overdue. Ive got a bout of squeeling at startup.

Figuring i better change out or service the idler pulley/bearing.

1. do they make just the pulley for the gen1 as a orderable part? Looks like rock auto has them for $17.
2. Can you just pull out and press in a new bearing into the exisitng one? That seems like the better way to go provided it isnt some proprietary bearing.

I have seen some write ups of the gen2 and gen3 trucks but not much for the gen1.

Can anyone comment that has either replaced or pressed a new bearing into the old one.

Seems like both options are easy enough to do (renting the puller from autozone or whatever). I didnt bother asking the dealership about the part cost today. It slipped my mind.

I did managed to price out some bolts for my LBJs. They were about 16 bucks total for all 8. Cameback wanted 16+ bucks jsut for shipping 8 small bolts. That is insane. Thats well over $30 for 8 small bolts. No thanks. I had them ordered local for $16 out the door....i just gotta go get them. Still seems high but businesses have to make money. They certainly should not gouge on shippping like that though.....Geez..

 

Not a proprietary bearing but for $17 you’re not going to save much as new automotive bearings usually run $10ish.

 

THanks....that was the cheapest knock off aftermarket they had. I have read ppl throwing on those cheap ones and its junk either out of the box or a few short months later. Id be curious if they sell just the OEM Pulley for a fair price.....

In the end...yeah.......a bearing....probably $10.......dinking around renting tools.....time spent getting pissed because the tool is fubar from the previous user etc etc.....it might just be easier to get the pulley and be done with it.

 

The oem pully isnt a bad deal, it comes with the new tensioner hardware which is nice especially if yours is rusty and seized. I used to go cheapo as my truck seems to eat one of those pulleys every year and a half or so, I bought an OEM one since my tensioner bolt snapped, we will see how it goes!

 

That comes with the whole assembly though right....the bracket, pulley and all the bits? I have heard those are a real pain to remove and replace. The pulley itself not so much but the whole thing. Ill have to see if i can find an oem part number / price and see if it worth it just for the pulley portion. I figure i might as well replace that thing while im in there doing the belts.

 

i am also debating on throwing in new rack and pinion bushings while im in there
Debating on these: Energy Suspension -

$31 8.10103R 4WD RACK & PINION BUSHING SET

8.10103R 4WD RACK & PINION BUSHING SET

I also might do the sway bar bushings up front while im there if i can find them. Thinking about going energy suspension as well although they dont list a kit for this truck. Waiting on an email from them to confirm.
Both seem like the right time to get them done