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2001 Pontiac Firebird Idler Pulley

Tiny
FIREBIRD01
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,200 MILES
I put on an Idler Pulley, the one above the A/C Pulley not the one on the Belt Tensioner, and when removing the old one the threaded metal for the Idler Pulley's bolt broke into pieces. Some of it remains intact and I was able to install the new Idler Pulley, drive it around and it seems okay. I don't feel safe though, as it is not all in one piece. I can't seem to find a replacement for this or even what it would be called. What can I do about it and what is the part that I broke?
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 12:36 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,130 POSTS
Can you upload a pic for me to see what part you are referring to?
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
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  • 7 POSTS
This is the bracket and pulley, they are still together after a couple of drives. The internal piece, which I don't want to expose just in case I can't get the pulley back on, is what broke. On the backside, where I couldn't get the camera there is a torx head, so I imagine it comes out but I have no idea what it would be called. The entire bracket is held on by 3 bolts as far as I can see.
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
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  • 7 POSTS
Uploading pics but they are not showing up, at least not on my screen they are broken links. Trying to reduce their size, maybe they are too big. Sorry
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,130 POSTS
I can't see them either. The first two are perfect and clear, but I can't see the part you are referring to.
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Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
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  • 7 POSTS
It's the bracket that the pulley is on.
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Thursday, February 26th, 2015 AT 11:51 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If it is the mounting bracket, it should be replaced before the pulley comes loose.
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Friday, February 27th, 2015 AT 5:08 AM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
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  • 7 POSTS
I know, I just cant read the part # on the bracket and nobody seems to know what I'm talking about when I say the bracket that holds the idler pulley. If I could just get the threaded piece that is in there with the torx head, I'd be set but no idea what that's called and most part stores look at me like I'm nuts when I ask about it.
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Saturday, February 28th, 2015 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Is this the part that is bad?
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Monday, March 2nd, 2015 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
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Basically yes, the piece that is sticking out that the pulley bolts into is what crumbled into dust but that whole part in the pic looks like a tensioner. My belt tensioner is good, which uses the same smooth pulley as the idler pulley above the AC Condensor, so I'm guessing the only purpose the pulley I'm having an issue with serves to produce more contact with the AC Pulley.
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Monday, March 2nd, 2015 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
FIREBIRD01
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Pretty much the same motor, but with a supercharger on it. I circled the pulley I'm talking about in red. The pulley lay out is the same as mine, just ignore the supercharger setup on it.
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Monday, March 2nd, 2015 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Yes, you're correct. That is the purpose of that pulley. Since the mount behind it is bad, you will need to see a dealer to find a new part or visit a salvage yard.
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 AT 8:35 AM

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