Where should I shop for an alternator idler pulley?

[Mailorder]

About a week or two ago, my car died. My dashboard told me "low battery charge", and I assumed it was that my alternator died. My post is here:zerothread/209310

However, I may have been wrong. My co-worker popped the hood to my car and looked around. He noticed the alternator belt was really loose. Then he felt around the idler pulley and managed to pull it right off. The nut holding it was missing. Taking the idler pulley, he tried to spin it. The bearing was completely dead, it would not spin. We're guessing that the bearing died, and since it wouldn't spin anymore, it must have ripped the nut off.

My question is: where can I buy a cheap idler pulley? I've called the Infinti dealership here and they are asking for $115. I've tried CSK and Pep Boys, but they don't have the part. Even Napa doesn't. My co-worker said I could visit an import junkyard and take an idler pulley assembly off any Toyota or Nissan and it would probably fit right on the Infinitis.

What should I do?

[Q45tech]

New ones usually last over 60,000 miles $115 for 60k is pretty inexpensive.

Some have bought newish NAPA bearings and retrofitted idler pullies.

Just a part of normal $2500- $3,000 cost to drive an old lux car

[elwesso]

You can go to NAPA like tech said and have htem put in a new bearing and be all good, however some prefer to pay more for a new idler for peace of mind and also more convenient R/R/

[maxnix]

If you got the bearing replacement route, be aware that there are grades of bearings and not every one that fits is necessarily as good as the Infniti part. Texasoil has a good post on this issue.

If you have a bad belt also, it is best to be prepared to do all three. http://www.Infinitipartsusa.com will let you return unopened parts for credit.
Modified by maxnix at 3:16 PM 11/21/2006

[Mailorder]

I'll be stopping by Napa tomorrow.

Also, the nut that held the idler pulley is gone. What size nut should I ask for? Is this nut a normal nut, that I could get at any hardware store?

[Mailorder]

Just wanted to let everyone know the problem was solved! The nut that fits on the bolt of the idler pulley is metric - 10mm. Unfortunately, I don't remember the pitch of the threading. I just bought standard, fine and very fine. I don't remember which one was the one that fit.

Replacement bearing: $25New Alternator Belt: $20Nut, washer and lock washer: $1.50

Fixed my Q45 for just under 50 bucks! I know to you guys it's probably no big deal, but for a guy with zero car experience that considered sending this car to the junkyard.. I'm happy! So yep, that's all : p

[DrewQ45]

Good Job! Saving money is always a good feeling. Be mindful of those that would have you outlay massive sums of cash although there are times when it makes more sense in the long run. Stay on this board and you'll want to keep your Q even more.

[96Qowner]

Heheh, nice job, Mailorder. A lot of us would have had to sell our Qs if not for the great people on this forum and their expert advice.

Congrats on getting it back on the road so easily.

[maxnix]

I know to you guys it's probably no big deal, but for a guy with zero car experience that considered sending this car to the junkyard.. I'm happy!

For want of a bearing a pulley was lost. For want of a pulley a belt was lost. For want of a belt, a Q45 was lost?

Not on our watch.
Modified by maxnix at 1:27 PM 1/29/2007

[AlabamaDan]

If you got the bearing replacement route, be aware that there are grades of bearings and not every one that fits is necessarily as good as the Infniti part. Texasoil has a good post on this issue.

With that in mind, what about ordering the bearings from Scottsdale and having them pressed in at the local shop? I couldn't find the post by Texasoil you referenced.

[maxnix]

I think IOS only sells complete pulleys.

[AlabamaDan]

You're right Brian. I was thinking about IOS selling just the pulley or the whole pulley assembly. According the price above it's $25 to have bearings pressed in or $36.41 for a brand new OEM pulley. I wonder if it's worth saving $11.41?

[AlabamaDan]

There's only three and they're all the same model number right?

[maxnix]

The industry standard identification fo rthe idler/tensioner bearings (for 90-95 Q45's--all versions) is '6301', which specs the internal dia, external dia, and width. There are numbers and letters AFTER the 6301 which identify the sealing arrangement--shields, seals, type of seals, elastomer type, metal used in bearing (steel, stainless, ceramic, etc.) The ones I have (10 on-hand right now) and '6301RS' which are neoprene full seals, and all stainless construction (and high temp high speed rated)

Not all '6301' bearings will stand the load, speed, or temp requirements of these Q45 idler applications. $21 each seems to be 'the standard' auto parts place price for them.

zerothread?id=147207

The search engine doth sucketh.

[maxnix]

There's only three and they're all the same model number right?

I don't believe that is true, but Joe would know.

[CrimsonQ]

They will need the VIN for the pulley to be correct. Bought the whole idle assembly for the alternator one,, paid 85 i think.