Hello, I have a 98 Ranger XLT 3.0 2WD. After replacing the serpentine belt many times, I decided to replace the idler pulley. The issue I am having is when I attempt to tighten the bolt, the pulley still wobbles a little. Looking at the back of the pulley there is a threaded disk that goes on as well. I am assuming that the disk has to be as tight as possible on the back of the pulley. How do I get that disk on and tight to prevent the pulley from moving. Maybe someone can answer this one as well. When the truck is running, the belt rides at the edge of the tensioner pulley. Is this okay or does it mean that my belt is not tracking correctly. Thanks..
JM

 

are you R&R the whole unit or just the idler? I just did mine (94 4.0) and I replaced the the whole assembly. If yours is the same there should be a notch that it has to fit to hold the idler from turning. If its just the idler then it should just bolt in to the assembly. There is a spring in the iler arm that holds the tension on the belt so I dont think what you are referring to needs to be tight. Make sure that the notch in the idler and the point on the block align before tightening. As to the belt is over the ridge or just up to it. If its not over the ridge and wearing funny I wouldnt worry about it.

 

I replaced the pulley at the top. I fingered tightened the disk as much as possible before I tightened the bolt. When I took the old pulley off, the disk at the back was stuck against the pulley. I thought that the movement of the pulley when the engine was running would force the disk to tighten up on the back of the pulley.
JM

 

I think we are talking 2 different items. It sounds like you are not referring to the belt tensioner which I am. The idler you are referring to. On that one it will not ever be tight as it will have a stand off built in to kep the pulley from contacting the shield you are referring to so that the pully will spin freely but still have some dirt protection.

best I can tell ya is to fit everything together and see if there is a need for it to tighten up or if maybe, just maybe you left a washer or something out of the mix.

 

the bolt that holds the idler-pulley on gets bent from the tension of the belt pulling down on it. i replaced my pulley but not the bolt and it wobbles. i'm thinking that it will bend another bolt if i change it so i haven't unless i find one out of d-2 steel or something hardened. i have been dying to get rid a sqweek that i have and nothing i do helps. i thought it was the belt, idler-pulley, glazing, dirty pulleys, etc. i'm soooooooooo frustrated . i also can not create anymore tension. sorry to go off track but replacing the bolt should get rid of the wobble, for now.