Alt belt idler pulley

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J

JerEazy

Joined
Oct 9, 2025
Threads
11
Messages
61
Location
Bradenton, FL
In doing the belts on here - and when I put the pulley on and tighten the bolt the pulley hits the bracket and doesn’t spin.

It’s got a dust shield on either side, and a black lock washer of sorts on the back. Am I missing something? I ordered a new pulley assembly (oem) and it doesn’t have a washer or anything on there. So I’m a bit confused.

Thank you
 
1) we need to know what year your truck is.
2) pictures are super helpful to see what you're talking about.
 
^^^This^^^.

Search and You Tube is your friend:


If you're working on a FZJ80 the Alternator belt idler pulley should come with all you need to replace the pulley but there's no bracket for that pulley or close to it so you're either working on the AC belt tensioner pulley or a different vehicle.


Here's a good video for the FZJ80:




Here's a previous discussion with video links (FZJ80 belts):

bicycleagent003

Thread 'A/C Idler Pulley Replacement'

Hey All,

I'm about to replace the idler pulley on my 1996 TLC with an OEM part. How do I remove the original idler pulley? Just keep loosening the 14mm nut in the center of the pulley?

Thanks.
 
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I solved the issue and crated another one.

I really should keep a checklist when doing stuff on motors. Placing the clutch fan on the studs of the water pump pulley is great.

Starting the LC without the clutch fan torqued down is bad.

Time for a new radiator.

All my years of working on engines and I’ve only had 1 other failure like this. Once when I didn’t check the old oil filter for its o-ring and installed the new filter right there. Oil everywhere was only part of the problem that created.
 
Kernal said:
Are you getting a new Toyota radiator?

Highly recommended, perfect fit/function and will last another 30 years..
Click to expand...
Sad to say I’m getting whatever NAPA had in stock. Nothing else would be here until next week and I can’t be without a ride until then.

Not ideal, I know. But I don’t need another 30 years out of her. But I’ll be ready to do the job again just in case. Good lord those nuts that hold the radiator in (near the condenser through the headlights) are absolute jackasses. I’m trying to devise a better option. But the busted radiator is out and ready for replacement.
IMG_2557.webp


IMG_2555.webp
 
JerEazy said:
Sad to say I’m getting whatever NAPA had in stock. Nothing else would be here until next week and I can’t be without a ride until then.

Not ideal, I know. But I don’t need another 30 years out of her. But I’ll be ready to do the job again just in case. Good lord those nuts that hold the radiator in (near the condenser through the headlights) are absolute jackasses. I’m trying to devise a better option. But the busted radiator is out and ready for replacement. View attachment 4016098

View attachment 4016097
Click to expand...
That aluminum radiator is not OEM 😉
And just so you know the should be 4 studs in that water pump.
I have never seen them come out of the pump.
 
Kernal said:
FWIW/IME Toyota Dealerships can get most parts the next day from their local warehouse.
Click to expand...
I’ll call the dealership tomorrow and see how quick. I can drive my other project if need be if it’ll take an extra day or so. Price for OEM is only about $50 more than NAPA
 
Broski said:
That aluminum radiator is not OEM 😉
And just so you know the should be 4 studs in that water pump.
I have never seen them come out of the pump.
Click to expand...
Yeah it was aftermarket from P/O

For some reason this is 2 studs and what was probably 2 other studs but are now two stud like bolts.

It’s annoying as hell because 2 are 13mm and 2 are 12mm. Will replace soon if I can find the part #
 
An OEM Toyota water pump comes with the studs attached, good to also order four new nuts and the metal gasket (all Toyota).

An aftermarket AISIN water pump is identical to the OEM pump except it comes with four loose studs (you have to install them) but IIRC it may come with the gasket.

Anything else is junk.

One thing you'll learn; if the Toyota part is still available buy that, if not search and find a similar part made by the OEM supplier (AISIN, Denso, NSK, etc)
They're not always exactly the same as OEM quality but IME better than made in chy nuh junk.
 
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Do yourself a favor, just order the water pump now. these trucks like to just spit out cheep parts.

I like to use Partsouq.com to find part numbers. You just inter your vin# and they have a easy to use web site. Find the part number feed that into google and find your best option.

In the past I ordered from them lot but with current tariff situation there may be better options.
 
My 0.02, the Toyota radiator comes with foam attached in all the correct places to to channel air to the cooling fins. Mine had come off over the years and it was a simple job to replace. I am not certain which aftermarket radiators come with the foam pre-positioned, but it is worth having. I think I was seeing a 3-5 degree improvement in coolant temps once I replaced the foam.
 
I am an OEM parts guy unless it’s unavoidable - so that won’t be an issue. (Learned that doing BMWs)

The water pump is an Aisin - and I agree, if it’s already apart this far do the job. So I have a new Aisin pump arriving tomorrow. Should beat the radiator here. Hopefully local Toyo stealer ship can get a radiator here fairly quickly because I would like to get it back on the road.

It’s the bad part of doing a daily driver restomod. Make a mistake and you’re driving your daughters car.
 
Good news - local dealership next day delivery on OEM. So she should be back together Saturday - with a new water pump because why not.
 
FWIW the rubber isolators/cushions for the radiator (two large rubber donut's on each side that the radiator sits on and two small ones up top) become rock hard with age, if not too late consider ordering replacements while it's apart.
 
She is back together with an OEM Toyota radiator, tensioners and pulleys, and belts.

It’s amazing how much quieter she is just by having a quality belt on there. These rigs really don’t like a ribbed belt.

Took the opportunity while it was a part to install a 100 series aux fan on the front and wire up a switch in the cab. Ac is noticeably cooler at idle in the Florida heat.
 
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