IM getting a grinding/whinning noise from the pulley on the tensioner assembly....THe whole assembly is 60.00 and the pulley is just 15.00...so i bought the pulley;and was wondering if is even possible to get this pulley bolt off...i pulled up as hard as i can to relive belt tension and then to break the bolt loose but i guess either it aint gonna happen or i need to work out?
Actually, I think that bolt might be reverse-threaded. If you take the bolt off, make sure you've removed the belt first. Are you positive the whining is coming from the idler pulley? The power steering pump on our cars is notorious for making a droning sound at low RPMs. To isolate the sound, you can use a mechanic's stethoscope, or if you don't have one of those, any metal rod or pipe. Be careful to keep it away from the fan and belt, and with one end against your ear, touch the other end to the power steering pump and the idler pulley. The noise will be transmitted through the rod, and it will be obvious where it's coming from.
