190D idler pulley squeaking real bad

[ah-kay]

The idler pulley is squeaking bad. It goes away if I squirt some WD40 behind it.

R&R procedure. I did a search here and the steps are:

1) Remove the serpentine belt and anything in front of it if they are in the way.
2) Pop the plastic cover and remove pulley with a 6mm hex key?
3) Installation is the reverse.

Any pitfalls or tips? Is it a repairable item or shall I just replace it? It does not seem to be that expensive.

Thanks.

[ah-kay]

Any feedback?

Sounds like a good outline to me.

[tangofox007]

Replacing the pulley would be contrary to your frugal maintenance strategy.

A more budget-minded solution would involve carefully removing the bearing seal, regreasing the bearing with some discount store-brand general purpose grease, then reinstalling the seal.

Better yet, swing by a quick-lube establishment and see if they would be willing to shoot a little chassis grease in a old pill bottle for you.

[ah-kay]

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Replacing the pulley would be contrary to your frugal maintenance strategy.

A more budget-minded solution would involve carefully removing the bearing seal, regreasing the bearing with some discount store-brand general purpose grease, then reinstalling the seal.

Better yet, swing by a quick-lube establishment and see if they would be willing to shoot a little chassis grease in a old pill bottle for you.

You will be disappointed that I just bought a NEW idler pulley. There are time to be frugal and there are time to splash out. Go ahead and follow me if that is what you want to do to spend your sunset time, which I belive you have plenty.