Idler Pulley Install

[waxfree]

I just installed an new idler pulley assembly and Im a little confused on the sequence of the washers, dust cover and nuts. Currently I have it as larger washer --pulley--smaller washer--dust cover---nut.

should the pulley spin freely? when i tighten the last nut down the pulley barely spins at all.

thanks

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yeah, the idler pulleys should spin very easily and very freely. I apologize but I don't remember the order that the parts go in, but you may be able to find it in the FSM.

[CanuckQx4]

There should be a washer on both sides of the bearing.

But yes the pulley should be very free moving and spin easily

[waxfree]

thanks guys. i actually had the pulley on backwards. reversed it and it spins fine now.

BUT, it wasnt what was causing the whislte! had both belts off...no whistle. put the AC belt back on and no whisltle. put the alt/ps belt back on and the whistle is there. figured it was the idler pulley, but I guess its probably the PS or Alternator pulley or soemthing else. diagnosing noises is so friggin hard!!!!

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yeah, I have a pretty bad whistle right now and I'm 90% sure it's my A/C compressor pulley. It's pretty annoying but it goes away after driving around for a while.

[prelude48]

Buy a stethoscope, works awesome for finding noise.
Id post a pic but no clue how. Google "automotive stethoscope"

[Densetsu]

Buy a stethoscope, works awesome for finding noise.
Id post a pic but no clue how. Google "automotive stethoscope"

Just be careful around the belts -- if that stethescope gets caught up in the belt it'll rip it right out of your ears. Ouch. Look for one with a horn attachment that doesn't require you to directly touch the pully.

[waxfree]

thanks guys. ive been meaning to pick up one of those stethescopes.

with two older cars, it seems im always trying to diagnose some noise.