replacing a pulley

sircrunch · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-04, 12:16 AM

I'm replacing the pulley for the tensioner on Saturday. Is there any help/instructions/tips on this? I used the search tool and someone was asking about this and there was a link given which helped the needy person, but now that link is dead.

thanks, I'm enjoying my Catera and look forward to getting it fixed myself. (i've done this before, on a grand prix gtp)

Timelode · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-04, 08:40 AM

Try http://www.alldatadiy.com/. For $25 per year, you have access to most of the service manual. It usually explains procedures step by step and has diagrams. It does assume that the reader has knowledge of parts and what they are. It's well worth the money. I hope things go well for you!

Lcsolutions · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-04, 12:51 PM

You release the tension on the idle pulley by putting the #14 0r 15mm socket (can't remember exactly what size it was) on the nut that holds the pulley on and rotating the bolt CLOCKWISE with a ratchet. The entire tensioner mechanism will rotate with it, and allow you to slip the belt off. Then gently release the tension off, and rotate that same nut COUNTERCLOCKWISE to remove. Repeat for the installation of the new pulley. Took about 10 minutes once I knew what I was doing. I didn't have a long ratchet with alot of torque so I used the lug nut wrench from the jack kit in the trunk as a breaker bar for leverage. Good luck!

Joe
2000 Catera

sircrunch · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-04, 11:20 PM

Replacing the pulley was about as easy as pie.

First I took a bungee cord and hooked one end around the belt and stretched the bungee around the hood hinge to where when I took the belt off, the belt would still have tension on it, so that it wouldn't fall off the other pulleys.

Bought a pulley from Advance auto. 22.00

THE ADVANCE AUTO PULLEY WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT MINOR MODIFICATION. The pully has "fins" starting in the center going outwards to the edges as reinforcement, and I had to shave a notch in the fins where the big shaped washer would fit on without scrubbing. After a few minutes with a razor knife, it was perfect and ready to go.

thanks for the help!!!!!!!! I hope this post will help others too.