Dodge belt tensioner pulley

37chief

Well-known Member
Location
California
The tensioner pulley for my Dodge is plastic, no surprise. The bearing needs to be replaced. I can buy a new one for around 10.00. from China. Or replace the bearing with a US made bearing I already have. It appears the bearing has no retaining rings. It is just pressed into the plastic. The bearing has stayed in place for all these years. Are these plastic pulleys made to accept another bearing, just using the press fit. Same with the idler pulley, but it's metal, and should accept another bearing, with just the press fit. May use some Loctite on that one. What do you think? Stan
 
I just replaced the same in my FIL 2003 Dodge minivan. I was surprised it was plastic also. Pulley was just fine, bearing was a little noisy and rough. The idler pulley was also steel on that one. I would be hesitant to press a new bearing in. They might have been molded onto the bearing to get a stronger unit when they were made. The cost was also about $10 if I remember right.
 
I've replaced 3 or 4 of them on dodge mini vans. the ones I get from NAPA are metal and for the cost it aint worth messing with.
 
I would buy the complete tensioner.Many don't realize the the pivot on the tensioner wears,and the pulley can start running crooked and throw the belt.Also,I would think the pulley would crack when you try to press it apart.Mark
 
You are right they are not made to be removed. I guess they install the bearing somehow when the pulley is being made. Stan
 
I'll include that I have yet to find a plastic pulley where you can press the bearing out of. A few of them I tried ended up breaking the pulley anyway but the plastic was molded around it. If you have a good parts person or do some looking you should be able to find a metal pulley though, that way in the future the pulley wont wear out and you can possibly replace just the bearing if you wanted.
 
Just replace the whole tensioner, bushing inside has been wearing since new losing some alignment, belt will start squeaking and fly off in a couple more years.
 
(quoted from post at 01:09:54 02/07/16) I would buy the complete tensioner.Many don't realize the the pivot on the tensioner wears,and the pulley can start running crooked and throw the belt.Also,I would think the pulley would crack when you try to press it apart.Mark

The pivot is plastic too, it started life new and got you were you are at if you expect to get another 100K out of it it needs to start its next life new... I replace the complete assy and move on with life..
The tensioner is a maintenance item just like the belt...
 
I have replace the bearings in many metal pulleys. Usually it is the same bearing that is used in a lot of alternators and generators so I have them on hand. I made a jig to hold the pulley in the press so it doesn't get distorted. Only takes about a minute to swap out the bearing.
 

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