[boxterfan67]

Thanks for the help guys. Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty? I have a torque wrench, do I need it? I'm assuming standard thread direction, but always good to know 1st. And Mr. Lucky, great advice for everybody about the belt replacement. I always have believed that you should go ahead and replace anything rubber or plastic while you have the motor torn down. Belt should arrive with the pulleys. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[boxterfan67]

I'm going to give it a try when the parts get here. Really grateful to have a source of knowledgeble pekple who are willing to give good advice. Subarus in the South seem to be an anomaly, but I love mine. I'll keep you guys posted on my progress (or lack of it!) and thanks so much again!

 

[boxterfan67]

Just pulled both pulleys off. The idler was frozen, and the bearing looks like it has been through a grinder. The tensioner was loose. Very loose. The bearing spins fine, but I can tell someone has put a wrench on it in the past. Also, some moron (maybe the same one) had put the washer on backwards! The washer is a keeper for the bearing and it cannot spin when the washer is backwards. Two questions 1: No nut came out with the idler so it should still be where it's supposed to be??
2: The tensioner is listed as "spring loaded". I see no spring nor anyplace a spring should go. What's up with that? These 2 pulleys look identical to each other. Really. I don't get it. Do you guys know?

 

[boxterfan67]

I'm really not sure of any of this now. I paid $25 for the idler and $80 for the tensioner. They look interchangeable. The arm must not look like anything I have ever seen, looked to me to bolt straight into the block. I honestly don't see how it could adjust anything. And that price diff...WTF???

 

[boxterfan67]

I ordered the pulley only (as far as I know.) Maybe the price difference is a reflection of the entire assembly being shipped. I used SubaruPartsforYou.com and even talked to one of their techs. I told him my issue, and even though the tensioner pulley seemed ok, I went ahead and ordered new stuff. The tech confirmed that what I ordered was correct, and Subaru USA recommends that if you're replacing one, go ahead and do both. So I'll be interested to see what UPS brings me.

 

[boxterfan67]

pulley swap

Makes more sense now. I checked out the pic on ebay and it is a lot more than just the pulley. I just hope now that the back nut is where it's supposed to be, or that what I ordered comes with a new one. Anyway, I can definitely see the reason for the price difference, and if nothing else, I will have a spare idler pulley to get me out of a temporary jam if I ever have one. Thanks Gary.

 

[boxterfan67]

It's been raining here, so I haven't been able to look at it further. I was hoping that there would be access to the bolts that hold the tensioner to the block, but it sounds like that's not the case. It's my first Subaru, my hobbies in the past have been modifying Civics to run on the SCCA circuit, but I hurt my back and climbing into and out of one that I've dropped 4 in. and put a bone-jarring suspension into isn't pleasant anymore. What I built back then probably shouldn't have been a daily driver anyway. Guess it was my midlife crisis...haha. But I love my Subie and it is the most functional and dependable car I've ever owned. You guys are great!

 

[boxterfan67]

Hey cardoc. Tell me about your supercharger when you get time if you don't mind. You may have let the performance bug bite me again!

 

[boxterfan67]

supercharger

The Tensioner bolts to the PS pump bracket.

SC Build http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/110-gen-2-2000-2004/47896-sleeper-vdc.html

A Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKEWATE0i-E

Wow! How's the hood clearance? Cooled by factory radiator and water pump since no intercooler? I'm impressed. We thought we were doing something special by jamming a Prelude H22 into a Civic. And we had to give up the AC! No room for the compressor.

 

[boxterfan67]

sleeper

WTA inter cooled, SC is water cooled. Stock radiator and two extra coolers with pumps.

A very appropriate title. Bet you surprise a lot of folks. How much hp and torque do you think you're putting to the ground? New parts came today, sucks really bad to depend on others for a ride, even if it's one of my kids. Tensioner has a slot on the back of it with a black plastic pin in it. Bolt it on and go? Or do I need to change it in some way? Hope I can just put ot on there and go. I'm really impressed with your OB. What does your VDC think about it?

 

[boxterfan67]

I've never posted a pic. Seems to be a pain in the... I'm going to see if I can put one in the gallery.

 

[boxterfan67]

It's in the gallery under the title "tensioner pin". Ever seen that 1Lucky Texan?

 

[boxterfan67]

tensioner

pay attention to how those 'shield washers' come off as I think they have a front/back orientation to keep them from dragging.

you can search for a more info but I think you've got it covered.

common problem - good time to replace serpentine belt if old.

Hey Tex. You ever seen what looks like an adjustment pin on the back of a tensioner? I put a pic of it in the gallery titled "tensioner pin". I'd appreciate you looking at it and see what you think. I'm ready to get it done and put the car back on the road. Thanks.

 

[boxterfan67]

Yeah, cardoc wanted a pic as well, sucks it's still pending. Cardoc's not online though, and I'm ready to get the show on the road. Thanks for responding, I think I'll just go ahead and put the idler on and loosen the PS pump then check and see if cardoc knows. Don't want to call the stealership, ya know?

 

[boxterfan67]

What it was, it's the end of a spring. Everything is put back together now and I was wondering if you knew the drive belt routing?

 

[boxterfan67]

I appreciate it guys. Very helpful. Now I'm gonna post a new thread. Something else needs replacement.