Pulley Alignment Issue (1 Viewer)

[FJ4013]

My less than a year old fan belt flipped over today and it looks based upon the wear that one of my pulleys are out of alignment. To me...it look like the top pulley is out of alignment. Like it sits out a bit further and slightly crooked than the bottom two. I could be wrong. If anyone see something different please say so but for sure I have one of them out of alignment.

How do I adjust this pulley in or out or is it even possible?

Thanks.

Pulley Alignment 2.png

• FJ4013
• Mar 29, 2019

Pulley Alignment 4.png

• FJ4013
• Mar 29, 2019

 

[coonassjohn]

I'm guessing that is the alternator. Check that the pulley is completely seated on the shaft and the bracket is not bent or the holes elongated. I have seen some cases where the woodruff key causes the pulley not to properly seat. If all is ok you can adjust the alignment with thin washers.

 

[coonassjohn]

Also make sure it is the correct alternator for that vehicle.

 

[FJ4013]

I'm guessing that is the alternator. Check that the pulley is completely seated on the shaft and the bracket is not bent or the holes elongated. I have seen some cases where the woodruff key causes the pulley not to properly seat. If all is ok you can adjust the alignment with thin washers.

Yes...I should have clarified when I say "top pulley" I mean the alternator pulley. When you say "the holes elongated" do you mean where the the alternator pivot bolt attaches to the alternator guide arm? Or whatever that is called.

 

[coonassjohn]

Yes, there and the rest of the mounting holes as well. They will wear also. I have seen cases where the adjustment arm had the lockwasher on the engine side causing belt misalignment.

 

[FJ4013]

Yes, there and the rest of the mounting holes as well. They will wear also. I have seen cases where the adjustment arm had the lockwasher on the engine side causing belt misalignment.

I went and checked and if I'm following you then the lock washer was in fact on the engine side. I moved to the position in the picture below. Is this the correct location the lock washer should be? To the left is the engine and to the right is the radiator.

Lock Washer Position.jpg

• FJ4013
• Mar 29, 2019

 

[coonassjohn]

The washer is on the wrong side causing your alignment problem, it looks more like a spacer than a lockwasher. Take it out and see if that doesn't make the problem go away.

 

[FJ4013]

The washer is on the wrong side causing your alignment problem, it looks more like a spacer than a lockwasher. Take it out and see if that doesn't make the problem go away.

The spacer in the picture was on the engine side where you said you've seen it mis-align the pulley. I moved it. The receiving hole my bolt goes into is threaded on mine so I don't require a lock washer.

You're thinking I should remove the spacer?

 

[coonassjohn]

Remove it and see if it helps.

 

[coonassjohn]

this may help.

 

[coonassjohn]

more

 

[coonassjohn]

Your alt may also be on the wrong side of the bracket from other pics I have seen. With the alt on the inside of the bracket, the bolt and that washer are on the outer side of the bracket. Do a search on the internet for fj40 alternator installations and you will see what I mean.

 

[65swb45]

The fore and aft position of the alternator is fixed by the cradle it sits in. The upper bracket cannot change that.

If the cradle itself has some wiggle room in how it is bolted to the cylinder head, that will affect orientation as well as fore and aft, IOW, both, but only a little.

If your lower alternator mounting ear or the cradle are missing one or both sleeves, that will significantly affect pulley alignment. Ask @RodrigzCrzr; he knows all about that.

HTH

Mark

www.markskffroad.net

 

[FJ4013]

Your alt may also be on the wrong side of the bracket from other pics I have seen. With the alt on the inside of the bracket, the bolt and that washer are on the outer side of the bracket. Do a search on the internet for fj40 alternator installations and you will see what I mean.

My alt is on the outside of the bracket...not the inside. It's mounted similar to the pics you posted. Thanks.

 

[Landlover12]

Hello everyone.. I put a 10si alternator on my Fj its its way out of alignment.. I tried to put some washers in to bring the belt back into alignment but I feel that this is a bad fix and the right fix is to get a new pully. Any suggestions? Also I plan to pick up a shorter belt as well. Im maxed out on my tensioner. Any help would be much appreciated. This is a frustrating one.

 

[Landlover12]

 

[65swb45]

The correct width Toyota pulley will not only move the belt forward, it will properly seat it. And as an added bonus, it’s larger in diameter, so it will use more of the belt that is currently too long. Triple win.

I sell used pulleys for $20 with a $100 minimum order. Perhaps there are some other things that you are in need of?

www.marksoffroad.net (apparently the link in my signature line works, but this one doesn’t )

 

[peesalot]

Curious which groove is proper for Alt ? It does appear you have alt on wrong side of bracket but it seems that was to accomodate using the outer groove, maybe move all to inside groove and move Alt to backside of bracket and see ? I would assume your lower Alt mount was spaced off block as well ?

 

[Landlover12]

I am using the inside grove off the engine. The tension bracket looks like it has only one option with this alternator unless I have it installed wrong??

 

[Landlover12]