Noticed a small rattle yesterday that get's worse on acceleration. Took a look and a local repair shop confirms it is the tension pulley. It looks like it is shaking back and forth. I've attached this picture to demonstrate. Let me know if you'd like a video. Anyway, the top (pulley) portion wiggles left and right but the base is stationary.

It doesn't seem normal that this should wiggle left and right but I'd like to make sure. If this is the issue, how would you recommend I proceed? Purchase a new tension pulley assembly, remove the old one for further analysis, etc.

Thanks all.

 

I had one go out on me one time on a Grand Am and when it is that loose...usually its time to replace it right before it pops out because its under spring tension inside of its housing.

 

Anyone else have any similar experiences or recommendations?

 

From my understanding, it's suppose to "wiggle" there on the "free" end, at least back and forth on the pivot that is provided by the "steady" end of the tensioner which is "fixed" as is needed to maintain the tension on the belt.

You should be able to test it for yourself by grabbing the tensioner's arm and attempting to wiggle it (it should be solid) and then the actual pulley itself and doing the same. If you discover "play" in either, it would be wise to replace it and/or them before you end up stranded and possibly with more serious problems.

If the play is just in the pulley itself though, you should be able to replace just it, as long as the arm is solid.

 

I'll check when I get to the truck again - but I'm pretty sure the arm is wiggleing a little. Thanks for the advice.

 

If it is...and you have to purchase the part...I'd pm strap22 for a price quote...he is the sales manager at toyota of dallas and can get ya a great deal on toyota parts

 

"...wiggleing..." is not good, but if it merely moves in line with it's pivot point, then your o'kay.

 

Yes, it is moving in line with the pivot point. A friend of mine (mechanic) took a look and said this was normal. We concluded that the rattle is most likely a bearing inside the pulley. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

It is definitely a bearing. A buddy of mine told me how to pry the pulley to the left and realease the belt. I then spun the pulley - metal on metal. Is it possible to replace just the pulley or do I need to order the whole kit (code: 00602-17620-090)?

I probably pm strap22 and ask him the same question.

Thanks.

 

How many miles do you have? Your rig is a 2002 so I'm thinking it has less than 60K miles. If it is, what don't you have the dealer fix it under warranty? It's still part of the powertrain which falls under 60K miles or 5 years. Just an idea .

George

 

Yes, you can replace just the bearing/upper pulley, without having to replace the whole tensioner arm assembly... or.... You could try george16's advice and see if the dealer will warantee it.

 

65K miles
No warranty.
Thanks for the thought though.

 

Then go with merely replacing the upper bearing/pulley and be done with it.

 

This may be obvious but nobody mentioned it - replace that bearing ASAP. If it goes out it will be significantly more costly for you.

 

Yes, I agree, you do want to replace it ASAP, because it could lockup on you, eat through your belt and leave you stranded somewhere.

Or, worse case scenario would be it breaking loose or grenading and taking out a few other choice parts.

 

Called TRD and they gave me the part number (00602-17620-082) for just the pulley assembly instead of the whole kit. Phil ordered it for me ($38 yotatech price) and I'll be picking it up Tuesday/Wednesday. Lets hope nothing happens before I can get it changed out. Thanks for your conerns!!

 

Good deal

 

Not so bad, now was it ? ($38 compared to what they want for the whole thing, huh ?)

I'm glad that it's working out for you BlueTrane.