Idler Pulley Tensioner

So I'm trying to replace my A/C idler pulley bearing for the infamous *engine whine*. Pulled my skids today and got after it, only to find that the tensioner, or what I think is the tensioner, is not working to relieve the belt tension. On the bottom right of the pulley (from the front of truck) is a bolt that extends up behind the pulley. I figured this was the tensioner. I loosened it all the way out, pulley didnt move. I even banged on the pulley (center bolt) to see if it would slide up. No dice.

Couldn't get behind the pulley to see what was going on due to tight space, so now I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Any input? Thanks

 

I believe there is a bolt in the middle of said pulled that you need to loosen and take out to remove it.

 

Correct. The bolt that is in the middle of the pulley needs to be taken all the way out.. either a very shallow drive ratchet with a short socket is needed or a wrench after you get it mostly out. (You will find yourself cursing when the ratchet backs into the radiator otherwise.. )

Put bolt through new pulley, tighten down, put belt back on, tighten belt. It'll be fun putting the belt back on too.. though hopefully not too much of a headache.

 

Okay so you guys are saying that in order for that pulley to slide up (and relieve tension), the nut in the middle of the pulley must also be loosened...?

Sounds about right....thanks much!

 

yep...you got it.

 

and don't go buying a new pulley, just take the bearing out and go to your auto parts store and get a bearing the same size. If i remember right, its just a snap ring and then you can tap it out with a hammer and a socket the correct size, much cheaper than a new pulley.

Edit you might want to do the same for your AC clutch bearing, I did both on my truck

 

I need to replace the clutch bearing, boy is that thing noisy after mudding. lol

As for the pulley being more expensive.. not really.. I think the new one cost me like $12... not worth the trouble of replacing the bearing.

 

i couldn't get the AC bearing at the parts store, I had to order it on line.
I can't remember the size off hand, but I just searched the size in mm with google.

 

So which one is the clutch bearing?

I couldn't get the pulley bearing anywhere near me either, so I just ordered it.

 

the clutch bearing is on the compressor. I think you take a 10mm bolt out to remove the clutch and then the pulley comes off with an internal snap ring

 

so what bearing do I need to replace to stop my engine from that whine? I remember I went mudding one day and my engine never sounded the same after. Any Input I can use.

 

Don't know about the 2nd gens

 

Thanks

 

One hint, you will need right angle snap ring pliers for the compressor

 

No....

The 3.4L has 3 belts, one for each accessory. The belt adjustments are at each of the accessory units.

So, to relieve the belt tension on the A/C idler pulley....you need to loosen the tension at the A/C condensor unit. That's where the tensioner is. The bolt in the center of the A/C idler...is only to remove the pulley.

Putting new bearings in won't work unless you get the proper bearings that can handle the RPM load. I tried that on mine and the grease oozed out within 2 days of putting the bearings in. Too high RPM's and the bearings got too hot and couldn't handle it. They need to be special bearings.

 

WRONG, the AC belt is tensioned by the idler, the centre bolt locks it and the lower bolt tensions it.

And by the way if you would have got a sealed bearing (like I did) you would have had no problems ( like I still do a year later)

 

That's not how mine was on my 96 3.4L. The pulley was fixed and bolted into one place. So, they must have changed things since 96.
The Condensor was what tensioned the belt. And Yes, I used sealed bearings and they didn't work.

If you look at the top of this picture....that's the one off my 96.

 

I'm not convinced, what is that bolt sticking down at 5 o'clock of the tensioner?

As for the bearing, you must have got a shitty one, mine is fine a year later, with a good number of river crossings that went over the head lights, so I know its been submersed and abused.

 

Well without a '96 to look at.. maybe? I know Toyota made numerous changes to the 3.4L between then and the 00-04 series of trucks.

 

It's probably one of your idler pulleys. IIRC, you cant just replace the bearing on it, you have to buy a new pulley depending on which one it is.