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IMO nothing will work permanent.
You have to replace...as post # 2 indicated.
You can spray some lube onto the bearing/ rotating shaft, yet be careful not to get on the belts.
Don't believe disassembly and bearing replacement is possible or cost effective...yet I am unsure.
Had "squeakers" on C5 not C6
Good luck.
IMO nothing will work permanent.
You have to replace...as post # 2 indicated.
You can spray some lube onto the bearing/ rotating shaft, yet be careful not to get on the belts.
Don't believe disassembly and bearing replacement is possible or cost effective...yet I am unsure.
Had "squeakers" on C5 not C6
Good luck.
Are they easy to replace? I priced on and they are only about $100. I'm thinking remove belt, r/r the tensioner assy and put belt back on? Assuming it is accessible.
With the motor idling, take a look at the tensioner to make sure it's bearing is only making noise, and not the tensioner pulley bouncing around as well.
If the belt tensioner is bouncing around as the belt is turning, then it may no just be the tensioner pulley bearing that needs to be replace, but the idler pulley as well.
Also, there is a seperate belt that drives the AC compressor, which has a tensioner as well.
I bring this up, since its possible to change out just the pulley with bearings on the tensioner's for about $20 each, isntead of having to replace both entire tensioner's isntead.
Lastly, once you have the belts off, free spin the rest of the devices to make sure they are turning freely without making bearing noise as well.
Got a OEM tensioner with pulley from Amazon for $68. Easy swap, only 2 bolts. Tighten the lower bolt first.
Thanks, I just order one. I also got the idler pulley as if I figure it is probably just as old as the tensioner pulley and might as well replace them both while I have the belt off.
I gotta ask... Are you sure it's the tensioner that's making the noise? The reason I say that is because the belts can squeak quite loudly when they're worn from a wobbling harmonic balancer...
If that doesn't stop the squeaking check to see if the Harmonic Balancer is noticeably wobbling. It's the bottom pulley down below on the crank shaft. Both belts go around it. If it gets to bad it usually starts making belt squeaks. Much bigger problem than the idle pulleys and something to watch and know when it starts to separate in the middle.
I gotta ask... Are you sure it's the tensioner that's making the noise? The reason I say that is because the belts can squeak quite loudly when they're worn from a wobbling harmonic balancer...
Well now you’ve got me worried. Oh well, have tensioner and pulleys on order. Hopefully they fix it.
Well now you’ve got me worried. Oh well, have tensioner and pulleys on order. Hopefully they fix it.
I hope the tensioner and pulley will fix it, however:
You stated a "squeaky tensioner" Do you actually hear the tensioner or pulley squeak or is it a belt chirp?
Look at the edge of the belt for fraying. Check the HB for wobble, a HB with a wobble can cause the edge of the belt to fray and cause a squeaky belt, especially when cold.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Dec 20, 2017 at 11:36 AM.
I hope the tensioner and pulley will fix it, however:
You stated a "squeaky tensioner" Do you actually hear the tensioner or pulley squeak or is it a belt chirp?
Look at the edge of the belt for fraying. Check the HB for wobble, a HB with a wobble can cause the edge of the belt to fray and cause a squeaky belt, especially when cold.
I was just repeating why the guy who sold it to me said. Maybe he was selling me a bill of goods!? Hope not. He seemed like a stand up guy. I'll find out soon enough....
Just so I have an idea.....is fixing the HB a $500 job or $5000 job?
I was just repeating why the guy who sold it to me said. Maybe he was selling me a bill of goods!? Hope not. He seemed like a stand up guy. I'll find out soon enough....
Just so I have an idea.....is fixing the HB a $500 job or $5000 job?
Had mine covered under the warrantee, my guess is around $900 labor plus HB, don't replace with oem. HB ranges between $180 and $430 for an ATI.
If that doesn't stop the squeaking check to see if the Harmonic Balancer is noticeably wobbling. It's the bottom pulley down below on the crank shaft. Both belts go around it. If it gets to bad it usually starts making belt squeaks. Much bigger problem than the idle pulleys and something to watch and know when it starts to separate in the middle.
A balancer that wobbles will also make the idler dance possibly making someone think it has a bad bearing....
I took the air breather off and looked at the belt and HB. No wear on the belt and I could not see any wobble in the HB. As best I could tell the noise is coming from the tensioner pulley. Parts due in Friday so I’ll know soon enough.
Here's what mine looked like before the HB replacement. I could see the obvious wobble. I had a non dealer mechanic with lots of vette experience replace mine. About $900 and that was an ATI balancer, new bolt, seal and belts...
