1999corvettels1

I was replacing belts and decided to pop the seals and add grease in the 4 pullies.

Tighting the last one, the pulley for the tensioner, it just went loose like the bolt broke.

I think the aluminum threads stripped.

Can the threads be fixed or time to buy a new A/C tensioner?

Helicoil?

Pounder

Helicoil !!! the wonder fix !!!!!

JR-01

You will probably be replacing the pulleys in the near future. They come from the factory with special grease. They are not meant to be serviced. They are cheap so it's better to replace them.

1999corvettels1

Did I mess up by adding grease to them?

1999corvettels1

I took a break and left the car/tensioner alone.

Came back and removed the whole tensioner assembly, the threads are weak in the middle of the hole.

Put the bolt in it again and it is getting pretty tight, however that is with me holding it on the top of my trash can while tighting with ratchet.

It may be ok, but just in case, I have a idea.

Tomorrow go to hardware store and try to find a longer bolt and a lock nut to secure it as a backup if the threads let loose.

That is if the nut will fit in the area on the back.

JR-01

According to the resident Corvette expert here, yes. Since they can run up to 3 times engine rpm, they needed special high speed/high temp grease.

Pounder

I added some high temp grease to mine 5000 miles ago, no issues !!!!

1999corvettels1

neutron82

why not just buy a new tensioner?... they are cheap enough and you are already there anyway

1999corvettels1

I might just do that.

Pounder

any grease is better than none !!!!!

JR-01

If there is no grease, it's time to change pulley. The damage has been done.

leadfoot4

AND, wheel bearings also spin at in high load/high RPM application, so if grease is to be added, in a pinch, synthetic wheel bearing grease would be my choice.

With respect to the broken bolt, I'd be looking at a heli-coil repair.

Pounder

it's a figure of speech !!!!!

JR-01

Wheel bearings turn at 1400 RPM at 100 mph. The small tensioner pulley can turn 14000 RPM at that speed. I didn't make this up. Evil Twin, a designer of the C5 explained it many times why the pulley should be replaced instead of greased.. I believe him.

Pounder

and you know for sure the replacements have the right grease and amount ????? engineers also designed the rocking seats, column lock issue, vibration damper failure, and many more !!!!! ??????

neutron82

big difference between an engineer and someone who has to actually work on the stuff

JR-01

I really don't know anything for sure.

Pounder

Amen !!!!!!

leadfoot4

You got THAT right, brother!!