q45 idler pulley

[dane68]

I have a 1995 Q45 which needs the idler pulleys replaced. I am not that mechanically inclined, but my brother says its an easy fix. Is there a step by step somewhere I can look at? Do I need a torque wrench? I keep reading about a bolt that is threaded backwards. Any help is appreciated.Thanks.

[goody90q45]

It's pretty easy as I recall. There's a main bolt on the top or bottom of the bracket that slides the pulled up and down and applies tension to the belt. Turn it one way or another to loosen the tension enough to get the belt off the pulley. With the belt free loosen the center bolt holding the pulley to its bracket, remove it and then slide on the new pulley and tighten it all up. I'm sure there's a torque value for the bolt holding the pulley on so a torque wrench would be helpful. Take note of the orientation of the washers and spacers when the pulley is taken off so you can put it back together correctly.

[JeffTepper]

Note that the pulley itself is usually not the problem, rather it is the bearing in the pulley. More than a year ago I found a local old school parts house/machine shop..... you know, the kind that smell like an old machine shop, they use paper parts catalogs, and the counter people are actually car guys....Anyway, I brought in the pulley with the failing bearing, we measured it and we searched for a bearing that fit the pulley. Once we located one with the correct dimensions, he pressed out the old bearing and pressed in the new bearing. Works great and much less expensive than replacing the pulley with a new one.

Just another idea......

[BCC93QT]

I just replaced the entire pulley itself (multiple). Bolt on bolt off. Yes it was about 100% more expensive but honestly rather than finding the bearings... pressing them in and out... You have to factor in time which is more valuable than money. I think they were like 68$ at IOS? Depending on which pulley. They come with the entire backing too w/ tensioner plating and bolt. Was cake to get them on and tightened correctly. Just make sure you don't miss one with a bad bearing!!!

[maxnix]

When replacing bearings, you must purchase top of the line bearings (about $20 each retail a few years ago) and not the cheap Chinese junk or you will be back soon.

All OEM belts replaced at once (after market are usually not a correct fit or of inferior quality), or you will be back soon. Water pump too, if it is weeping, or you will be back soon.

Spin each bearing and if there is any roughness or noise, replace it or you will be back soon.

Read the previous posts here and the FSM as proper belt tension is critical.