idler pulley slop

[SalRanger2]

are idler pulleys supposed to have slop? the original one on there has slight play in the bearing, also when mounted it has front to back play of about 1/16-1/8 inch. bought a new one (no bearing slop) and mounted. there is the same front to back play!? any ideas? my plan so far is to just go to ford and get a motorcraft tomorrow

 

[dropt_98]

I just had the bearing on my idler pulley go out a couple weeks ago, the new one I put on is very solid, no slop at all. The old one had a good 1/8th inch of play and at high RPM sounded quite loud, the new one is super quiet. I have no front/back play either, make sure everything is snug and tight

 

[SalRanger2]

thanks for the reply. yea i didnt think there was supposed to be any play (on another forum someone told me that was normal lol wtf). at first i bought just the pulley from orielly's, mounted it and still play! but what i ended up doing was getting one from ford that comes with the bolt, washer, and retaining washer thing. idk what could have caused the problem

 

[dropt_98]

No clue, perhaps a burr on your old bolt or somehow it crossthreaded a little and didnt go all the way in? Who knows, at least you got it fixed!

 

[SalRanger2]

yea that or i was thinking maybe the retaining washer? but i mean if the pulley was bolted tight that shouldnt make a difference?? but yea either way were good to go! i do have a squeak up front now though, all my pulleys felt fine. Belt?