Yep... 
AC idler pulley stripped... question
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
AC idler pulley stripped... question Okay, those who have done their AC pulleys (tensioner and idler) I need your advice. I got the tensioner off with no issue (15mm bolts are easy peasy), but the idler uses a t50 torx, and it was tighter than a ticks ***... I tried to break it with all my strength, but ended up stripping it. I cant get the sucker off, the damn thing is stripped as hell so it just comes out every time I try to turn it. Has this happened to anyone else? How did you get it off? And also, after I get it off, where is a good place to get a replacement mounting bolt so that I dont put the stripped one back on... It seems to be not really an easy part to find.
Thank you for any and all advice. Also, things I have tried: Some heat, PB Blaster, tapping w a flathead and hammer to try and get something looser. Nothing helped.
Thank you for any and all advice. Also, things I have tried: Some heat, PB Blaster, tapping w a flathead and hammer to try and get something looser. Nothing helped.
had the exact same thing happen. damn those torx bolts. i ended up taking out the bracket and having a shop drill it out. i just ordered the assembly which is only available oem part. comes with new bolt, spacers, and pulley. gm part 12557335. i snagged it on rock auto for like 34 shipped. still alot for a damn plastic pulley
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
had the exact same thing happen. damn those torx bolts. i ended up taking out the bracket and having a shop drill it out. i just ordered the assembly which is only available oem part. comes with new bolt, spacers, and pulley. gm part 12557335. i snagged it on rock auto for like 34 shipped. still alot for a damn plastic pulley
I guess ill be trying at it till I get lucky or riding w it squeaking for a while as right now its my DD until my other car gets some tires and power steering work
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
So... been thinking, I for some reason don't have a breaker bar (left it at the folks when I moved out) so I may go buy one tonight. Might try and get my girlfriend to hold her foot on it and try the breaker bar... lmao ghetto I know but breaker bars have been known to work wonders
EDIT: also, was wondering if I got a bolt w same threads and everything and flared out at the end but not a torx, if I could use that w no harm? Ya know, go find a similar one but with a normal head (15 mm or something) from the parts store.
EDIT: also, was wondering if I got a bolt w same threads and everything and flared out at the end but not a torx, if I could use that w no harm? Ya know, go find a similar one but with a normal head (15 mm or something) from the parts store.
Last edited by Clayton Andrew; Mar 22, 2012 at 04:13 PM.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
If the bolt is not broken loose, get a handy punch (e.g. 3/8" socket extension bar) and using a hammer give the bolt head a sharp rap (via the punch) inline with the bolt axis (a sharp rap, not a deathblow)... then try unscrewing the bolt.
