How to Change an Idler Tensioner Pulley on a 1997 Ford Taurus

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Most newer vehicles(1990 and up) use a tensioner pulley to tighten the serpentine belt. Over time, the bearing on the pulley wears out and starts to whine and cause a rough idle. This is an easy job as well as less expensive if you do it yourself.

Steps

1. 1
   Release tension and remove belt.

   
   
2. 2
   Remove pulley bolt(bolt may have either left or right-handed threads). Retain all existing pulley hardware.
3. 3
   Remove pulley.
4. 4
   Using the previously removed pulley hardware, install the replacement pulley in the reverse order of removal. Note: This replacement pulley has a permanently sealed bearing; therefore the dust cover is not required. Always check the original dust cover for interference before installing. If you have interference discard the dust cover and continue with installation.
5. 5
   When reinstalling the belt, extreme care should be taken to check pulleys located in "hard to see" remote locations to ensure that the belt is seated properly in all pulley grooves. If the belt is not seated properly, the belt can "ride-out" of the grooves and be damaged.

   
   

Tips

• A tensioner pulley tool can also be used to remove the bolt from the preexisting tensioner.

Warnings

• Be sure that engine is off before any attempt is made to install replacement pulleys.

Things You'll Need

• Tensioner pulley tool
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• sources and citations;

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