idler pulley question..

[pat julian]

Back again this week with another minor problem.. idler pulley on my '93 2.3 literally spun off the bearing as i was driving about 10 mph...limped into a parking lot..I work for a major parts supplier..so I call my work..have a pulley delivered to my location..(i carry enough tools with me to do most any repair)..and had the new pulley on in a few minutes..this is the second idler pulley I've replaced in 6 months..roughly 40,000 miles..and it was metal...new pulley (ac/delco) is plastic as was the original ford pulley..my question is the note in the box said i may or may not need the washer depending on application...how do i know if i need the washer behind the pully ?? amazingly when the old pulley desinegrated..i found the spacer washer on the sway bar underneath...so i put it behind the new pulley,tightened it ..and it moved smoothly didn't drag...installed the belt ..and went on my 250 mile parts run...BUT how did that washer get off the mounting bolt ?? the remnants of the bearing were still on the bolt..no way i can think that the washer could have been slung off..glad i found it..but concerned whether or not i needed to put it back on..also bought another pulley to keep with me..any ideas on how to know if you need the washer ?? thanks ..pj

 

[Mark_88]

I would be guessing on this one, but it would be a matter of alignment of the belt with the rest of the pulleys on the system.

As in it would be a spacer that may or may not be required...unless, of course, the washer is not part of the mounting hardware...in which case I'd be totally wrong as per usual...

I haven't done one on my 96 which is actually a 98 so I have no idea what it entails...but sounds like the shims on starters that some claim are needed but I've never actually needed to use...

 

[pat julian]

thanks...the belt is running just a tad off the center of the pulley..but not enough to slip off..it spun fine after it was locked down...i'll keep an eye on it for a few days..i drive 250 miles per day in this..so i try to stay ahead of possible problems...think' i'll also buy a tensionor pully to keep with me..had that go out about a year ago on the road...

 

[Mark_88]

I'm not sure of the forces at play here and what they could do to a belt that overhangs...but I'd be wanting to keep it in the centre with no overhang just in case.

Keeping spare parts is a good idea...lol...I used to carry spare alternators, starters, belts, fluids, and just about every tool I needed to overhaul a complete Ranger...

I guess I had trust issues since I was driving about the same number of miles as you are on a daily basis and usually had to be somewhere with little or no delay...

 

[pat julian]

the belt is not really over the edge of the pulley..just even with the back edge..still..when it warms up next weekend..it's 25 now..gonna be 70 next sat..i'll pull it off and stick it back on with out the spacer just to see if there's any difference..i carry a spare belt, rad hoses..even though mine are both new..just installed a new radiator and flex fan last week..i did leave the shroud off since i was in a hurry..hasn't made any difference in the temp..but sure makes it easier to get to stuff in a hurry thanks or the help..