Idler / tensioner bearings replacement

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:27 pm

Well as some may have guessed I'm doing the timing belts on the Liberty and I'm pretty sure the bearings in the timing belt idlers pulleys and sprocket and the the tensioner pulley for the timing belt and the A/C belt haven't been replaced in a long time. Gave them a bit of a spin and would like to renew the bearings in each but apart from the A/C belt tensioner pulley bearing I dunno how to get these things out.

Do they need to be pressed out or are they a complete unit or is there some other way?

Hope to get the parts tomorrow from CBC.

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:08 pm

easy as... they all just bolt in/bolt out

only tricky one is the tensioner, and you need to clamp it together in something like a vive and put a pin through it to get it on

you can buy it all in a kit and the tensioner should come with a pin through it too

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:10 pm

All the bearings will tap out and are replacable

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:24 pm

hmmm from memory i was only able to acquire new bearings for 2 of my pulleys.
if u replace the bearings seperatly u need to meausre how they sit in and put the new ones in at the correct measurements otherwise the belt wont run on them properly.

u culd buy them all new including the Tensioner but like every subaru item they are pretty damn expensive.

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 8:28 pm

Removed them all alright so yeah was just wondering about the bearings.

I bought me a special tool to do the tensioner re-jigging this year rather than borrowing someone else's: 100mm bench vice.

A tad too short by the description but it did the trick. Should have got the 150mm job. Couldn't find a suitable nail or rivet so sacrificed a large bulldog clip and that did the trick.

I'll have a good tap tomorrow.

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:47 am

OK, so apparently my bearings sohp is closed until next year, and Subaru only have the complete units to replace which are $552 for the 4 (2 idler pulleys, idler sprocket and tensioner pulley). CBC says they bearings can't be replaced either as they are a complete unit (WTF?) and the units come as a kit including timing belt and camshaft and oil pump seals for $280.

Hmmm

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:27 am

id say use another shop.

i definetely did 2 atleast of mine. which resulted in me forking out a very small amount of money for 3 bearings to go between the 2 pulleys.

how bad are they neways?

i think Coventrys may also be able o get the bearings for the 2 i replaced.
but then ull need to press em out and remember the measurements.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:54 pm

I wouldn't replace the bearings, i'd replace whole lot from CBC - not subaru as its exactly same parts and its way lot cheaper. I would replace them all.
Cheers
AP

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:52 am

Thanks, have replaced with CBC parts now.

Unfortunately I am fairly limited as to where I can get these parts from, Subaru and CBC are about it around here.

I even took the old parts into CBC and while they said it might be possible to match the bearings in each they said there were no guarantees and that if they were genuine parts that they often used stock bearings and modified them for their own purposes (change diameters etc.) so they may not fit. I think it was a harsh way to get me to but the full replacement parts but really what can you do - I needed the car to run.

I got the two idlers pulleys, the idler sprocket (geared thing) and tensioner pulley & bolt, new timing belt (great, now I can hang the new genuine one in a frame until the 400,000km service) and cam seals (didn't replace this time as no evidence of seeps, but will keep handy) and what I assume is a crankshaft seal (not sure how to replace this) in the kit for $308 - $280 + GST. No oil pump seals as previously advised dang it.

Also got a new bearing for the A/C belt idler for around $9 although they didn't have the high-temp bearing though I don't think this should make too much difference for that part. Yesterday my Subaru dealer didn't have a listing for this part and said they were ringing Subaru Aus and were going to call me back. Still waiting...

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:59 am

The cam & cranks seals and hydraulic tensioner were replaced @ 200k km by Subaru. That was an expensive exercise as they had to charge me to do the labour twice as they had no tensioner the first time. So yeah, all seem good now still.