Idler Pulley - wrong changed?
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Idler Pulley - wrong changed?
I have a 1998 3.0L Ranger with A/C and power steering. I was changing the belt and the idler pulley because they're going. I took off the existing idler pulley, but when I pulled the new one out of the box it was definitely smaller. I went to a different parts store in town (NAPA) and they had two different brands but they were the same smaller size.
Am I missing something? Was the size of the idler pulley changed for some reason? The smaller idler pulleys were 76mm, is that the size that it should be and maybe someone before me put the wrong idler pulley on there?
The new belt was really tight and hard to get on because of it... Any help?
Am I missing something? Was the size of the idler pulley changed for some reason? The smaller idler pulleys were 76mm, is that the size that it should be and maybe someone before me put the wrong idler pulley on there?
The new belt was really tight and hard to get on because of it... Any help?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
I have a 1998 3.0L Ranger with A/C and power steering. I was changing the belt and the idler pulley because they're going. I took off the existing idler pulley, but when I pulled the new one out of the box it was definitely smaller. I went to a different parts store in town (NAPA) and they had two different brands but they were the same smaller size.
Am I missing something? Was the size of the idler pulley changed for some reason? The smaller idler pulleys were 76mm, is that the size that it should be and maybe someone before me put the wrong idler pulley on there?
The new belt was really tight and hard to get on because of it... Any help?
Am I missing something? Was the size of the idler pulley changed for some reason? The smaller idler pulleys were 76mm, is that the size that it should be and maybe someone before me put the wrong idler pulley on there?
The new belt was really tight and hard to get on because of it... Any help?
But lets see, you have changed the belt & idler pully & the new idler pully's outer diameter is smaller than the old one, BUT the new belt is still really tight????!!!!
Maybe the new idler pully is right & NAPA gave you the wrong belt!!!!
Or maybe they gave you the wrong pully & belt combo.
Or as you suspect, maybe someone before you installed the wrong parts.
In any case, look on the side of the belt tensioner pully housing & see if the belt tension indicator is falling between the molded in tension range marks. If the belt tension is too much, it won't be long before other belt driven accessory bearings will be protesting.
You could look online & check NAPAs listed belt & pully P/N's against what you have on there now, to see if they gave you the correct parts.
OR maybe consider opting for Motorcraft parts, they're designed for Fords & are more likely to properly fit.
Some more thoughts for pondering.
Let us know what you find.
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When I saw that the idler pulley was smaller, I put the old idler pulley back on. So the new belt was quite tight, but that was with the larger pulley.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: ohio
When i went to get a pulley for my ford truck, the new one wouldnt turn when tight,went to 5 different stores and they all were the same, wouldnt turn when tightened.Had to break down and buy a ford one
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
So I guess we still don't know for sure what the right story is.
If the tensioner isn't between it's marks, then running the new belt on the old larger dia idler pully can over tension the new belt & all the belt driven accessories pully bearings will be over loaded. Running the new belt over tensioned sure won't do it any favors.
So maybe consider trying the new belt & idler pully combo & see if the tensioners indicator marks fall within range. If so you should be good to go.
