KissMyTushZ28

iTrader: (4)

Hello gang. As some of you know I found my Camaro and bought it back after selling 6 years before. I'm fixing issues from those 6 years that I didn't own the car. These geniuses had the dust cover for the idler pulley on the wrong side, the engine side of the pulley. And it was squealing like hell. I bought a new Gates pulley from Oriellys and the box says it doesn't even need the dust cover because it's a sealed bearing. My question is, with no dust cover on the front there is no washer between the bolt and the pulley. Should there be one? I dont want to trash a new pulley.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

did it come with a big flanged bolt ......flange as big as the old washer ?

KissMyTushZ28

iTrader: (4)

The new pulley did not come with any bolt. The OEM bolt is flanged and barely big enough to cover the hole through the pulley.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

my mistake.....its when i bought a new tensioner and pulley it came with the bigger bolt.....tensioners dont last forever.....does yours need changing?

KissMyTushZ28

iTrader: (4)

I don't believe so. From watching the belt with the engine running it doesn't move much at all the and the line on the tensioner is still in between the lines on the bracket. But the belt didn't start making noise until some coolant spilled on it from a leak. Then I noticed the Idler pulley issue with the backwards dust cover. But now the belt is still squealing. Maybe it needs a new belt.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

as a rule for me....old age and mileage.......one or both.......change out

KissMyTushZ28

iTrader: (4)

I'm going to try the belt next and see what happens. But again, Do you think a washer is needed on the idler pulley between the bolt and the pulley?

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

i think its just to shield the bearing from dirt or what have you....if you get GM pulleys they do come with a new bolt and washer....FYI

KissMyTushZ28

iTrader: (4)

Right, that's what I read, after buying the gates pulley. And that's what got me curious about needing a washer.

KissMyTushZ28

iTrader: (4)

Replaced the belt and all is well. No more squeaking. No washer on the idler pulley, just the bolt.