idler pulley squeal

97ranger xlt · Dec 9, 2007

my idler pulley was squealing in cold weather. it is the original factory (metal) part.

you can check the bearing in it. take the pulley off and carefully pry out the grease seal. mine was dry and making a squealing/whistling noise. repacked with grease=noise gone.

i had also replaced the tensioner because i thought that was making the sound. the old tensioner (also original) was shot. the spring in it didn't work at all...

hope this helps ....

Dave R · Dec 9, 2007

That's inventive, I don't think I've ever heard of someone regreasing one of those. I think they are only like $30 to replace. I'm curious how long yours holds up.

Simple_serf · Dec 9, 2007

That's kinda cool....let us know how long it lasts.

As to the tensioner....Mine was working fine until it broke and hit me in the face when I was changing the belt last year. :annoyed:

97ranger xlt · Dec 11, 2007

Dave R said:
That's inventive, I don't think I've ever heard of someone regreasing one of those. I think they are only like $30 to replace. I'm curious how long yours holds up.

i'm also curious to see how long it will hold. :dntknw:

i only re-greased it because it was sunday (and after wasting a trip autozone to find out they didn't have the right pulley)...... :annoyed:

97ranger xlt · Sep 20, 2008

turned out the alternator itself was making the squeal/whistle sound. junkyard alternator ($25.00 at the local pick n pull) solved it.

no doubt dry bearings in the old one caused the sound.

ejholmgren · Sep 20, 2008

Idler pulley with a no AC 2.3 is a PITA to find at any parts store.

Bryan22 · Sep 21, 2008

I had a real problem finding an idler pulley for both my trucks 92 3.0 w/o a/c and 94 2.3 w/ac. same pulley on both trucks and nowhere had the right one... went to ford, it seems the pulley is a ford only or make your own type deal. they had a reasonable price on a pulley, but it's an updated version that doesn't appear to be the same. looks different but it is working in my 2.3 just fine and dandy.

97ranger xlt · Sep 21, 2008

ejholmgren said:
Idler pulley with a no AC 2.3 is a PITA to find at any parts store.

i got one at napa - it's plastic, not like the original steel one, but still works fine.

ejholmgren · Sep 22, 2008

97ranger xlt said:
i got one at napa - it's plastic, not like the original steel one, but still works fine.

The plastic idler or the metal one on the tensioner? Tensioner pulley was a piece of cake. I couldn't find the plastic one anywhere, so I hit the yards and found a used one with less play and repacked it.

97ranger xlt · Sep 23, 2008

ejholmgren said:
The plastic idler or the metal one on the tensioner? Tensioner pulley was a piece of cake. I couldn't find the plastic one anywhere, so I hit the yards and found a used one with less play and repacked it.

the idler. i got one as i said from napa and it was plastic not like the original.
it was cheap something like $18 or so...

turned out the original metal idler was ok but just had dry bearings, which as u say you can re-pack with grease if they aren't too worn out.
i keep the original as the spare now.

wally · Dec 30, 2008

auto value parts stores sell new bearings for both the idler and tensioner pulley for under $5 each. just have to press them out of old pulley and put new ones in

sharpertouch · Jan 2, 2010

my 94 ranger 2.3L with ac idler pulley went bad. having so much trouble finding replacement. does anyone have part numbers and where to get a replacement from?

Bryan22 · Jan 2, 2010

go to ford.

Earl43P · Jan 2, 2010

6203 series bearings are used in those pulleys.

Available everywhere.

The ones I keep re-greasing are Napa 6203(something)RSJ? I can't remember the exact part number. The key to a pulley like that odd idler with the spacer is to use the best bearing. Once you've removed the rubber grease covers, (I use a jewelers screwdriver and peel it like a bike tire) you'll notice the bearing retainer. Low end bearings use a plastic cage, that make the bearing easy to disassemble and clean to regrease, but lack strength. The best ones have the ball bearings caged in a metal cage which will not come out. Expect to pay ~$16 for just the bearing, knowing a new pulley WITH bearing is ~$18. The better bearing is well worth it and a couple sockets and a hammer will push them out/in the pulley.

I don't know where to get that threaded spacer, but these bearings are used in a lot of mower decks and lawn equipment, so that's another source maybe.

sharpertouch · Jan 2, 2010

the bearing on the idler pulley is fine. however the plastic 'ribs' that conect the bearing to the outer part r broken. therefore i need the pulley not just a regreasing.

idler pulley squeal

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