1999 idler bearing pulley

went to dealership in search of idler bearing pulley to the belt that runs power steering . they sold me one for a/c that is located lower in error . problem with Toyota is the bearing I need comes as one whole assembly ( bracket, tension bolt etc .) that is $220 .
the a/ c bearing with shaft is $50 .
does anyone know if its the same pulley . They look the same . hard to tell for me which one is the noisy one . sound via stethoscope seemed to point to upper one . funny thing is it was only noisy when a/c kicked on .
was thinking replace both & maybe new belts ? Truck has been well cared for but have no knowledge of belt age .
any thoughts most appreciated.


btw
I am new on here & new to an old Tacoma . previous Yota experience was a ‘15 4Runner ( hated that diesel sounding gas pig) , love my 4 banger 1999 as my main transport & new beach toy in NC

 

Haven't done it on my taco yet but other vehicles and riding mower decks with idlers, I pulled them apart or seperated it is a better term and found the number on the bearing or if the number wasn't readable I miked it and them matched it up online or from a bearing store front. Much cheaper if you're so inclined.
Can you pull the belt/belts one at a time to isolate the noise?

 

thanks pulldo .
I will try one belt off . That’s a great idea

 

not much for info here

 

Here's a quality replacement for your PS idler pulley

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=366349&cc=1317623&jsn=8

 

i am not wanting to throw parts at whatever makes the vibes in the summer without knowing exactly where the vibes are coming from first!


i believe the Ps to be 0k, thinking its the A/C part way down yonder
.... cannot get it to replicate in neutral yet so its very perplexing

 

The bearing that goes into the AC Idler pulley is a #6301. It is just a ball bearing that is 12x37x12mm. Just like nuts and bolts, bearings come in "standard" sizes. The suffixes (if any) denote seals or shields or lack thereof.

Grade 5 is the highest grade used for most apps short of Aerospace and the best to be found in the general market.

You don't have to remove the belt. Loosen (not remove) the front nut first then turn the adustment bolt on the back until the belt is free of the pulley, now take the front nut and pulley off.

I paid around $6 for mine from a bearing shop around 5 years ago.

 

will the bearing being 'bad' send a shimmy vibe down the channel into the cab (evap?) when the A/C is turned off at a certain resonate RPM frequency
this is what i had going last year for the first time and am awaiting the humid hot season to see if it returns to haunt me and grind my teeth again
its something that is very queer, strange, odd, funny, unusual

 

Sigh, just went to replace the water pump belt today and the tension adjustment bolt is sheared in two....

This should be fun.

 

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Ended up just taking the whole bracket and pulley assembly off and ordering a new one. Can't believe I didn't notice that when I bought it.

 

LOL water pump belt