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idler pulley

jeepnuts311

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
hey all,

i have had a squeaky idler pulley off and on for a while and it used to be quiet for a month or two and then squeal until i sprayed some lube on it, but then it got to squealing almost all the time and its annoying as crap.

i replaced the idler pulley the other day for $18 and it came with the pulley and a sealed bearing, the whole unit, so i swapped them.

the thing squeals sometimes still. i know it is the idler pulley because it will shut up if i spray it with WD40, but only for about 50 miles or so.

is it possible that i tightened the belt too much, or what else could cause this screamin demon?

-tim
 
i'm not sure about your question, i believe i've got the same squeal

did you torque the idler pulley bolt? or did you just hand tighten it?? i believe, iirc, the torque for that bolt is like 30 or 35 lb. ft.
 
Sounds like you've got a belt squeal, not just the idler bearing. Spray the belt itself while it's running a little bit, both sides, but just a quick shot, don't soak the belt. See if the noise goes away.
 
Fred85 said:
i'm not sure about your question, i believe i've got the same squeal

did you torque the idler pulley bolt? or did you just hand tighten it?? i believe, iirc, the torque for that bolt is like 30 or 35 lb. ft.

i torqued it pretty good, i didnt use a torque wrench but it was tight as i could get it, and i double checked after i drove it.


anony91xj said:
Sounds like you've got a belt squeal, not just the idler bearing. Spray the belt itself while it's running a little bit, both sides, but just a quick shot, don't soak the belt. See if the noise goes away.

ill try that, but i mentioned that i had sprayed the idler bearing and it was quiet after i sprayed it. what should i spray on the belt?

-tim
 
Spraying a bearing with WD40 is a BAD idea. It will dissolve the grease and will shorten the bearing's life greatly.
 
Mikel said:
Spraying a bearing with WD40 is a BAD idea. It will dissolve the grease and will shorten the bearing's life greatly.

good thing i didnt spray the new bearing, just the old one. for right now im just hoping the new one will get broken in or something.

thanks for that tip, too. i will keep that in mind. i also used 90 weight gear oil and used a curved syringe from the dentist to get the gear oil into the bearing, that worked a lot better than the wd40.

-tim
 
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