when to change

[sick1166]

pulleys or belt tensioners running about 60,000 mi on a 2007 Tahoe wondering the mileage expected before failure on these parts?
or what miles should they be changed at

 

[Tonyrodz]

How's it look? Getting any strange noises or vibrations? What makes you think they might need to be changed ?

 

[lawfarm]

They're cheap and easy to change, and the bottom one gets exposed to salt and water spray. I replaced them on my 07 based on age, this year. 15 minutes in the driveway.

 

[sick1166]

age is why i think for a change and hard driving no noise or vibration but I also dont want to wait for that to happen

 

[ISU-152]

I keep a spare under the hood on my 99. Almost like the spot was meant to be

 

[Jason_S]

I check them all when I replace the serpentine belt. Just spin each pulley by hand, including the water pump, ac compressor, alternator and power steering pump. If it feels rough or makes a grinding noise, it gets replaced.

The tensioner is a judgement call, if it is really easy to rotate to get the belt off, then I replace it. Otherwise it gets just the pulleys as needed.

The bearings in the ac compressor clutch can be replaced for less than the entire clutch assembly. Having access to a press is best, but it can be done without.

It wouldn't hurt to pull the serpentine belt off and give everything a once over once per year. I typically only check everything every other year and end up replacing the belt and maybe something else.

 

[08grey]

I have a squuel now but it seems to be coming from the power steering pump. Only while driving does it do it and when I pull outward on the pulley it has at least a half inch of play and that can't be right. If that's not it I'm lost. I've got 90k on my 08.

 

[MichaelSE]

I have a squuel now but it seems to be coming from the power steering pump. Only while driving does it do it and when I pull outward on the pulley it has at least a half inch of play and that can't be right. If that's not it I'm lost. I've got 90k on my 08.

You can pull the power steering pulley out a half inch? That's not good. The bearings in the shaft might be shot. The problem with the power steering pulley is that you need to replace the pump itself, because that's where the bearings are located.. you may as well replace the tensioner pulley and idler pulley also, since they're cheap and easy.

When I changed my pump it took me about 3 hours.