I've only got 75k on the '12 Mazda 5 and I noticed lots of noise coming from the serpentine pulleys. Removed the belt and checked it out. Sure enough, both the smooth tensioner and idler pulley were very worn. Parts were reasonable at less than $40 each.
Then I take a look at the grooved idler pulley on the upper front side of the engine. Its seems ok and is not worn or noisy, but the bearing seals have failed and there is grease oozing down to the top of the water pump. Time for a replacement as well.
It looks like this with the bracket and all....
So the price for this thing is between $250 and $130!!!???
All I need is the bearings, thank you. The bracket and the pulley are reusable, but NOBODY sells just the pulley with bearings.
Lets see what we have here....
I took it off the car and put it in my vise. Removed the pulley from the bracket. Next, I used a hammer and an 11mm socket and a 3/8 extension to drive the inner sleeve spacer out. With a 32mm socket the bearing(s) came out of the pulley.
There are 2 bearings in there. Both are 17mm x 47mm x 14mm.
After googling, I found that they are common and are about $15 for a pair.
This is how I saved $115!
Just press the new bearings and sleeve in, or hack it like me with a hammer and a vise.
Either way, Win!
Then I take a look at the grooved idler pulley on the upper front side of the engine. Its seems ok and is not worn or noisy, but the bearing seals have failed and there is grease oozing down to the top of the water pump. Time for a replacement as well.
It looks like this with the bracket and all....
So the price for this thing is between $250 and $130!!!???
All I need is the bearings, thank you. The bracket and the pulley are reusable, but NOBODY sells just the pulley with bearings.
Lets see what we have here....
I took it off the car and put it in my vise. Removed the pulley from the bracket. Next, I used a hammer and an 11mm socket and a 3/8 extension to drive the inner sleeve spacer out. With a 32mm socket the bearing(s) came out of the pulley.
There are 2 bearings in there. Both are 17mm x 47mm x 14mm.
After googling, I found that they are common and are about $15 for a pair.
This is how I saved $115!
Just press the new bearings and sleeve in, or hack it like me with a hammer and a vise.
Either way, Win!