Shoebox i know we were trying to figure out the loud noise that was coming from the alternator area, i figured out that its the idler pulley. How hard of a job is this? Could you give me some detailed instructions. I would greatly appreciate it!

 

Can't be any harder than the one I just replaced on my wife's Grand Prix. Remove belt, unbolt pulley (13mm), take it with you to the auto parts store to make sure you get the right replacement, return with pulley, bolt it back on, re-install belt.

Easy to get to this stuff with the car up on ramps. Go from underneath.

 

Ok thanks for all your help, the only thing i was worried about was is if u needed a special to tool to get the pulley off, i know some cars you need a special tool to get the pulleys off.

 

Don't think anything special is needed.

 

2 bolts, fits into place perfectly. even my sister could have replaced that thing... i think it was the easiest repair i've done so far

 

You replaced the whole tensioner? I was thinking you could just replace the pulley.

 

nope, all one unit. its not very expensive if i recall correctly

 

heh, idler pulley and tensioner assem. get interchanged incorrectly around here, huh Shoebox? But since the LT1 has no idler (unless it is has the 1LE AC delete) we can assume he ment the tensioner. But I have a feeling Shoebox was making that point.

 

i have one that im sure isnt shot. i believe i have the entire assembly too but i think youd just need the pulley. shoot me a PM if you are interested.

 

bleh now i'm confused... i'm talking about the spring loaded thing on the bottom of the engine that you push down with a wrench to remove the belt.

 

The tensioner IS the spring loaded thingy on the bottom. It is sold only as an assembly, not just the pulley by itself, as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the pulley is considered non seviceable so you can only get it as a unit with the bracket/spring housing. unconfused?

Idler pulleys are stationary pulleys, no springs, they just.....idle.

 

Easy to change, be carefull though, I got a tensioner assembly from Autozone and the pulley was larger then stock, So I needed a new belt. It also made a lot of noise, it did last until I could track down a GM unit.

 

Yeah, they are two things. However, on my wife's GP, you can replace the pulley separately from the tensioner. That is what I was thinking initially. Guess that threw things off a little. I have not replaced mine yet.