Junkers88

As the title says is the AC pulley and the PS pulley the same? I'm talking about the little ones that are used to tension the belts. I ask because last night after some accidental off-road fun, and the ensuing things done to get out of the ditch, my PS tensioner-pulley-thing locked up. I'd like to swap out the one from the AC if I can so I can drive it down to the pick-n-pull place tomorrow and get a used one instead of trying to find/paying a pile for a new one.

Thanks much and please be careful in the snow and ice.

kiyobrown

Pretty sure they are different. The AC idler pulley is sold at auto stores as a whole unit. The power steering pulley you just replace the bearing inside of it. Can't remember the number off hand, but it ends with ff. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to swap em to get to the store and back, or just run without power steering altogether for a couple miles.


The bearing to replace in the ps idler pulley was a sealed unit, and wasn't much more then $20. Now if you lost the pulley altogether, dealer wanted upwards of $300 for a new idler pulley.


Hope all is well, Ricky!!

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Now that is interesting I only paid about $9.00 for mine at local bearing supply

Part # NKE 6204 RS2

You could get it at any bearing supplier

Looking on McMaster-Carr a premium bearing was less then $20.00

se7enine

iTrader: (2)

I paid nothing and rebuilt bearings myself.

kiyobrown

BigBluePile

iTrader: (3)

No dude, the bolt holes are different.

Yup, paid $9 for the bearing from Advance Auto when my idler bearing siezed up on the interstate in a big ball of smoke...which with the louvers I have on the hood it was like smokin dragon nostrils.

Dont be a baby, so you have to drive around with manual steering, it isn't gonna hurt anything...just make your arms all swole up for the ladies!

Junkers88

Thanks folks.

Any tips for getting the bearing out of the damn pulley? I'm looking at it and it appears that I'll need a press to get the old one out and the new one in.

PirateMcgee

I got mine out by setting my vice slightly wider than the bearing but smaller than the pulley, laid it on top with beaing over the gap, and then used a hammer and a big punch to knock out the bearing

kiyobrown

Yup. About the same. Got an impact socket that fit in the hole and tapped a rubber mallet on it til it popped out.

camo31_10.50

i swapped mine on my '86 (AC didn't work any way) and it worked prefectly fine.

BigBluePile

iTrader: (3)

Yuppers

I don't think so scooter.

Junkers88

Well that was a PITA. 4 auto parts places (won't even go into having to request a counter person that speaks English) later and I got the bearing. Now I've got power steering again but the freaking pump is making an odd noise that I never noticed before....... dang it just never seems to end.

rattlewagon

I have my AC pulley on my PS spot right now. Been that way for about 2 months now. All seems to be holding up fine. My belt alignment still isn't quite right, but not worried about it that much.

The AC one was a bit smaller, so my adjustment is maxed out.

Junkers88

I actually pulled my AC idler just to see if it would swap and if I swap the mounting bolt also then it'll work. Now I know I have a spare if I need it.