Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: A/C Idler arm bearing replacement (2000-320) Cheap insurance..... (Read 516 times) previous topic - next topic

A/C Idler arm bearing replacement (2000-320) Cheap insurance.....

   Did a quick once over the engine compartment inspection this morning, revealing a wobbly pulley and loose belt.
Learned a few things I hadn't  done before, and likely saved a few bucks in the process.        After a trip to the local O'reillys, and gazing into the somewhat blue but blank eyes of the young lady behind the counter for several minutes deciding what I called a idler arm, was a pulley tensioner...  oh well, So down the road I travelled to a locally owned NAPA store, and was promptly told to just press the bearing out and put a new one in.....Clyde disappeared behind the wall for maybe 3 minutes, and shazam,  new bearing with absolutely perfect to the touch pulley play.....  Sweet.

  All things foretravel aren't super expensive to repair.  $10.26 total cost.   

David
David and Christi Spillman
2003gv
1992 airstream classic limited
1989 avion XB
1989 avion 32s
1987 avion 34w
1998  U270 36' "Project"
1983 avion 34w
1962 avion T25

Re: A/C Idler arm bearing replacement (2000-320) Cheap insurance.....

Reply #1 –
David,

Good info. I noticed last year that the belt was missing on mine. Put a new one on and good ever since. Now you have me wondering if the tensioner might have been going bad and I did not see? 

I was in your neck of the woods last week. We go to Dillard, Highlands area a couple times of the year. River Vista RV Resort in Dillard is a good one.

Thanks,

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: A/C Idler arm bearing replacement (2000-320) Cheap insurance.....

Reply #2 –
Bearing-- which is replaceable, as you did.
Tensioner mechanism-- not repairable
Dampening function-- not repairable

Here is an excellent short video on checking belt tensioners from Gates Corp: Automotive Tensioner Failure.mpg
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: A/C Idler arm bearing replacement (2000-320) Cheap insurance.....

Reply #3 –


Brett,
I should have been more clear about my idler arm.....  Or should I say constant tension manually adjustable pulley.    On the 2000-320, well..at least on the two I've owned, there is no spring loaded tensioner in the engine compartment.
      Nothing to wear out on the idler arm but the bearing itself.      Searching the archives, I do see a few broken pulleys  what I call idler pulleys.  Possibly from improperly holding pulley while pressing in or out bearings?
      I hope not.         
David and Christi Spillman
2003gv
1992 airstream classic limited
1989 avion XB
1989 avion 32s
1987 avion 34w
1998  U270 36' "Project"
1983 avion 34w
1962 avion T25
 

Re: A/C Idler arm bearing replacement (2000-320) Cheap insurance.....

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dwest –
David,

 Now you have me wondering if the tensioner might have been going bad and I did not see? 

I was in your neck of the woods last week. We go to Dillard, Highlands area a couple times of the year. River Vista RV Resort in Dillard is a good one.

Thanks,

David
   
 Hi David,
I haven't been to Dillard before.  But we do have some beautiful mtns within an hour or so from our house. 
      I bet you have the idler arm as well, instead of the tensioner.    Would check that pulley for any wobble, or play.   

david
David and Christi Spillman
2003gv
1992 airstream classic limited
1989 avion XB
1989 avion 32s
1987 avion 34w
1998  U270 36' "Project"
1983 avion 34w
1962 avion T25