SPONSORED LINKS

2001 Pontiac Firebird Idler Pulley

Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,200 MILES
I put on an Idler Pulley, the one above the A/C Pulley not the one on the Belt Tensioner, and when removing the old one the threaded metal for the Idler Pulley's bolt broke into pieces. Some of it remains intact and I was able to install the new Idler Pulley, drive it around and it seems okay. I don't feel safe though, as it is not all in one piece. I can't seem to find a replacement for this or even what it would be called. What can I do about it and what is the part that I broke?
SPONSORED LINKS
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 12:36 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Can you upload a pic for me to see what part you are referring to?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
This is the bracket and pulley, they are still together after a couple of drives. The internal piece, which I don't want to expose just in case I can't get the pulley back on, is what broke. On the backside, where I couldn't get the camera there is a torx head, so I imagine it comes out but I have no idea what it would be called. The entire bracket is held on by 3 bolts as far as I can see.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Uploading pics but they are not showing up, at least not on my screen they are broken links. Trying to reduce their size, maybe they are too big. Sorry
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
I can't see them either. The first two are perfect and clear, but I can't see the part you are referring to.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It's the bracket that the pulley is on.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 26th, 2015 AT 11:51 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If it is the mounting bracket, it should be replaced before the pulley comes loose.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, February 27th, 2015 AT 5:08 AM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I know, I just cant read the part # on the bracket and nobody seems to know what I'm talking about when I say the bracket that holds the idler pulley. If I could just get the threaded piece that is in there with the torx head, I'd be set but no idea what that's called and most part stores look at me like I'm nuts when I ask about it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, February 28th, 2015 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Is this the part that is bad?
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 2nd, 2015 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Basically yes, the piece that is sticking out that the pulley bolts into is what crumbled into dust but that whole part in the pic looks like a tensioner. My belt tensioner is good, which uses the same smooth pulley as the idler pulley above the AC Condensor, so I'm guessing the only purpose the pulley I'm having an issue with serves to produce more contact with the AC Pulley.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 2nd, 2015 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Pretty much the same motor, but with a supercharger on it. I circled the pulley I'm talking about in red. The pulley lay out is the same as mine, just ignore the supercharger setup on it.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 2nd, 2015 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Yes, you're correct. That is the purpose of that pulley. Since the mount behind it is bad, you will need to see a dealer to find a new part or visit a salvage yard.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 AT 8:35 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Serpentine Belt Pulley Replace/Remove Content

Idler Pulley Replacement
VIDEO
Idler Pulley Replacement
Instructional repair video
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links