Idler Pulley Play

[xenon]

Idler pulley was chirping so I removed it and replaced the bearing.
After reinstall and torqueing to 27 ft lbs there is a small amount of play in the pulley, maybe 1/8 inch.
Wondering if I missed something. I have the center bolt, then the outer plate, washer and pulley in that order. The shoulder of the bolt only appears to support about half of the width of the bearing.

 

[scottm]

What year is your truck? I think you mean this pulley, not the one on the tensioner, but the machined out one with multi-grooves. My '03 only has a bolt and plate as shown in this '04 manual, no washer. Pictures of yours would help.

How did you get the old bearing out? My idler pulley has a flange all the way around so it would be difficult to push the outer race out of the pulley.

 

[xenon]

Thanks for the very detailed response.
The truck is a '99. I replaced the bearing in the tensioner using a Harbor Freight ball joint press, which is not the preferred method but seems to work.
There is a washer behind the plate, which appears to be factory as it is yellow zinc and stamped with the number 01QN0.
There is a little lateral play in the pulley and my concern was that no washer is shown in the FSM.

 

[AllLC]

I know this is very old but i figured i'd try to not reinvent the wheel here.

I also have a 99- i did not notice a washer, but the pulley was pretty screwed up by the time i got her home and figured out what was wrong. (But i still got her Home to fix in the warmth of my Garage!)

Any ways- Ordered toyota idler pully and the damn thing doesnt turn when bolted inplace like the pics above. I'm thinking a washer might make sense here.

Or is there something really silly I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[badlander]

Do you have the idler pulley installed the correct way? I can't remember if it is asymetrical with different depths on the front and back or not. You may need to turn it around and install the other side toward the engine.

 

[2001LC]

Are you sure you have a perfect match on the bearing. I sourced the tensioner bearing at NAPA for $5, but could not find one for the idler. I did find idler bearing by special order only, which was cost prohibitive. My OEM idler pulley assemble has been chipping for last 60K miles when checked with stethoscope, but has yet to go bad. As I recall it does have a front and back, so orientation is important.

 

[AllLC]

Thanks Badlander and 2001LC.
I tried turning the Pulley around and it still seized when tightened- it was like it was coming in contact with something it shouldnt- Causing it to bind. It spends freely when not installed.

the original part was pretty messed up so i purchased the complete pulley and bearing from toyota.

I found the "washer" hiding on the fan fins. And guess what- the darn thing spins like a top now.

I was so excited about it i decided to install the belt without taking the air cleaner off of the front. It was tight but i got it.

Thanks again for your time- Happy thanks giving- Safe travels!