Idler Pulley Noise On My 96 Lx450

[the magnetguy]

I Have A Whirring Noise Coming From The Fan Area Of My Lx450. I Was Told At The Dealer It's Probably an Idler Pulley Bearing Gone And Should Have The Whole Idler Pulley Assembly Replaced At $350.00!!
I Was Told Also That It Could Be Just The Bearing Which Is Around $10.oo Off The Shelf At Any Bearing Shop. Has Anyone Ever Replaced A Bearing Themselves And If So How Difficult Is It? I'd Really Like To Do It Myself And Save A Bundle If Possible. Thanks Alot For Any Help In Advance!! - Tim

 

[rgmax]

I just replaced the idler pulley on my 96 LC, the complete pulley was $33. While a new bearing can be pressed in, its not worth the hassle. Its fairly easy to replace, just remove the splash shield from under the radiator/fan belt area, loosen the AC belt, remove the center bolt on the pulley, remove pulley, replace with new one. Adjust the belt and replace the splash shield.

 

[landtank]

by chance are your belts COGGED?

 

[Rookie2]

by chance are your belts COGGED?

Rick,

I thought it was you that replaced the idler bearing a few months back for about $4 at the auto-store. Was that something or someone else?

 

[semlin]

if you have old warn belts or new or old cogged aftermarket belts the whining is likely from the belts. Replace with toyota belts, which are not cogged and say "mitsubishi" on them, and the noise should clear up. many people, including me, hjave had mechanics wrongly diagnose the whining problem as the idle pulley.

 

[landtank]

Rick,

I thought it was you that replaced the idler bearing a few months back for about $4 at the auto-store. Was that something or someone else?

I didn't replace mine but I think it was me who suggested that as the problem, or maybe not, I'll take the credit though.

 

[OGBeno]

I did have a idler pulley bearing problem (AC idler pulley) and replaced it for $22 or so, new belts, and the rig purrs like a baby, like new.

Now, you didn't specify if the sound was coming from AC idler pulley or the one below the alternator. I don't know how much that one is.

I'd say--following Doug who will kill me if I don't suggest this --put a dowel to the area wher you think you are having trouble and try to listen for the sound. Try to locate it, so to speak.

New belts, if you haven't done them, will indeed make a big difference--OEM.

Check out this thread where the dowel idea is presented, defended, argued for, and talked through thoroughly for a front end gerrrring noise:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=44193

Good luck and report back with results.

Best.
-onur
Akron, OH

 

[Zen Dude]

I replaced my belts (lx450) because they looked cracked, guess what, the engine was super quiet after that. I was happy because I thought it was bearings or somthing else.

 

[njfzj80]

Put the alternator in a bucket of water and toss in a wooden dowel. Place in oven for 25 minutes at 350. Sorry I couldn't resist after reading the 57 posts.

 

[fzj80kidpen]

Replace the belts first with OEM and you will be amazed

 

[OGBeno]

Put the alternator in a bucket of water and toss in a wooden dowel. Place in oven for 25 minutes at 350. Sorry I couldn't resist after reading the 57 posts.

Yeah, I'm the guy in your signature line... Funny stuff man.

OEM belts first...makes a world of difference.
-o-