How to remove AC idler pulley?

[myf16]

1994 Q45. My AC idler pulley bearing failed, causing the belt to snap. Fortunately only the compressor uses that belt so the car still runs.

I removed the bolt holding the pulley but the pulley can't be removed It is blocked by the tension adjuster for the second belt, the one in front of the AC belt. How should I proceed? Is there a way to pull the pulley bolt toward the rear of the engine to free the broken idler pulley?

Second thing: Does anyone here know who has a good price on a replacement pulley? I don't need OEM since the car already has 250k miles. Amazon shows me a pulley that does not look like my original one.

[AZhitman]

Page 8 should help: http://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual? ... 994_Q45/ma

[EdBwoy]

And while you're at it, here's a link that will help you with bearings:
topic608685.html
That thread links to 2 other threads, but the gist of it is that nissan used pretty much the same bearings on 3 generations of V8s.
We also propose that it is easier to locate replacement bearings than replacement pulleys & that this makes it cheaper as well.

[myf16]

I have a 1992 Service Manual and I saw that page. It shows the blockage problem, but not the solution.

The HA section shows the idler pulley parts but has no information on how to remove the thing.

[elwesso]

You can get the pulley off if you completely loosen the tensioner to drop it down out of the way.. That's the only way, it's super annoying. You definitely don't have to remove the bracket for the alternator tensioner to get the AC compressor pulley off.

BTW- Rock Auto has some good prices on idler pulleys- doesn't even make sense to press in new bearings. I just got a new set for mine and they're like $25 each.

[myf16]

Thanks so much for that info. That method is a PITA but less so than also having to figure it out!

Rock Auto has a Power Steering pulley and an Alternator pulley. The Power Steering pulley is Nissan part was originally 11927-60U00 or 11927-60U02. The AC pulley was originally 11927-60U10 now 11927-60U11. The alternator pulley was 11927-60U01 now 11947-31U05. So it looks like Rock Auto has discontinued the AC pulley.

OEM is about $50 plus shipping, or about $68 total.

Is there a way to do better on this item? I've only drive the car 50k miles since I got it 8 years ago, and I doubt I'll keep it more than another 2 years. The paint is oxidized and the seats are torn. It's just that it drives so superbly.

[elwesso]

I'm pretty sure the power steering pulley (cars w/o active or HICAS) is pretty much the same as the AC pulley, and I know for sure the bearing and pulley offset is the same. I think the PS pulley OD is slightly smaller and slightly wider (by 1/8" or so in both directions)... so I think you could use the power steering pulley in lieu of the specified AC compressor pulley. The difference in the OD would be un-noticeable in terms of tightening the belt. I know I used an AC compressor pulley as a replacement for my PS pulley one time in a pinch (because I already had one on the shelf).

[AZhitman]

^ ...and that's why Wes is the Q expert.

[myf16]

Thanks again, elwesso. I ordered the PS pulley. I should have time to install it in a couple weeks. I will post the results here.

[myf16]

Results: The PS pulley is slightly smaller, about 4 mm in radius, as stated by elwesso. It fit fine. Removing the old pulley was simple after loosening the adjuster all the way as elwesso recommended. I now have a working A/C compressor. Yay!

[Q451990]

Thanks for letting us know! As these cars get older we'll be doing more and more improvising...

[myf16]

As these cars get older we'll be doing more and more improvising...

Like I did last year: 1994-q45-occasional-stumbling-was-proba ... 04027.html

That workaround has held up perfectly, by the way.