Funny, the other day I commented my truck never gave me any problems... karma I guess.
Anyway,
I started the truck today and hear something clank off the fan blade...
Immediately shut it down and found the top idler pulley came forward and fell OFF the bearing...
This is the single smooth pulley right above the tensioner assembly (serpentine belt)
The bearing seems to be good... I replaced them all not too long ago.
the Timken sealed bearing presses into the pulley.
Seems like a tight fit when you press or tap them in. kind of odd that it came off.
One thing I noticed, This pully does not have any lip on the backside to keep the pulley from coming off the bearing.
I had a spare tensioner pully and compared it... the tensioner pully has a lip on the backside (pics)
They look to be almost identical size... maybe a few mm's difference.
I might try the spare tensioner pully or use a thin flat washer on the back of the pulley to prevent it from happening again... OR stake it with a prick punch...
I could probably use green loctite on the bearing also... even though it seems to fit tight.
Years ago, I DID have a bearing fail on the tensioner assembly busting the belt.
I replaced the bearing and has been good since. and like said, I replace those bearings everytime I change a belt.
MAYBE the tensioner itself is going bad... the internal spring?
But the belt looks OK ....
Could the recent Arctic freeze/thaw cycle made the pully expand/contract and break the press fit?
I'm rambling now....
As soon as this coffee cup is empty and the dogs evacuate I think I'll try the pully with the lip on the back and have a good 'look-see'
I've had bearings go bad... but NEVER heard of this happening. to anyone.
Anyway,
I started the truck today and hear something clank off the fan blade...
Immediately shut it down and found the top idler pulley came forward and fell OFF the bearing...
This is the single smooth pulley right above the tensioner assembly (serpentine belt)
The bearing seems to be good... I replaced them all not too long ago.
the Timken sealed bearing presses into the pulley.
Seems like a tight fit when you press or tap them in. kind of odd that it came off.
One thing I noticed, This pully does not have any lip on the backside to keep the pulley from coming off the bearing.
I had a spare tensioner pully and compared it... the tensioner pully has a lip on the backside (pics)
They look to be almost identical size... maybe a few mm's difference.
I might try the spare tensioner pully or use a thin flat washer on the back of the pulley to prevent it from happening again... OR stake it with a prick punch...
I could probably use green loctite on the bearing also... even though it seems to fit tight.
Years ago, I DID have a bearing fail on the tensioner assembly busting the belt.
I replaced the bearing and has been good since. and like said, I replace those bearings everytime I change a belt.
MAYBE the tensioner itself is going bad... the internal spring?
But the belt looks OK ....
Could the recent Arctic freeze/thaw cycle made the pully expand/contract and break the press fit?
I'm rambling now....
As soon as this coffee cup is empty and the dogs evacuate I think I'll try the pully with the lip on the back and have a good 'look-see'
I've had bearings go bad... but NEVER heard of this happening. to anyone.
