How to Buy a Good Quality Idler Pulley

The idler pulley system drives a car’s alternator and is part of a belt and pulley system that also covers power steering, the air compressor, and other devices. The pulley is essential; with all of the important equipment that it keeps moving, it would be very detrimental to the vehicle if this particular part failed. However, this pulley does deteriorate and when it does you should replace it immediately.

You should often inspect the face of the idler pulley for damage and wear and tear, and keeping it lubricated is a must as well. When the idler pulley is damaged, the movement of the belt going to the crankshaft can get jerky, which causes engine disruption and could even lead to accidents if the driver loses control of the vehicle.

Some precautions to keep in mind when buying an idler pulley:

  • Size: When you’re choosing a new idler pulley, keep the dimensions that you will need in mind. Manufacturers create pulleys in a wide range of sizes, so you will need to measure the width as well as the thickness of the belt drive on your vehicle. If the pulley is too wide, it can cause undue stress; while a small pulley will not power everything that needs to be powered.

  • Durability: Pulleys are given quite a load, and in order to handle the stress you need to look for an incredibly durable part – preferably one with flanges to add to the strength.

  • Quality: Some well-known brands of idler pulleys are solid, without flanges, and may be just as tough as those with flanges.

  • Pulley options: Keeping the belt secure on the pulley can be challenging, so some pulleys have grooves lining them to provide friction to keep the belt in place. Others have a slightly raised edge, like a guardrail, that helps keep the pulley in place.

YourMechanic supplies top-quality idler pulleys to our certified mobile technicians. We can also install an idler pulley that you've purchased.Click here to get a quote and more information on idler pulley replacement.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Drive Belt Tensioner
Common signs include grinding or squeaking noises coming from the belt, unusual belt wear, and belt-driven accessories like the alternator failing.
How Long Does a Supercharger Belt Last?
Both Both superchargers and turbochargers are used on today’s vehicles to provide extra power and performance. While they do essentially the same thing (injecting additional air into the intake), they work in different ways. Turbochargers work based on exhaust, which...
How to Replace an Air Conditioning Belt
Replacing an AC belt can be challenging, as you have to locate specific parts in the car in order to do so, and use proper tools to complete the task.

Related questions

Idle set to low
It is possible that the idle may need to be readjusted so your car will run correctly. I would have one of the mechanics at YourMechanic inspect your vehicle's idle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection) to see if there is anything that needs to...
Engine cranks when cold but not warm
A scope (oscilloscope) exam during those few minutes after it starts, and while the engine idles roughly, will reveal the cause. It is either ignition or fuel system related. To schedule a rough running engine diagnostic(https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection) please feel free to...
Car jerking forward when stopped.
This may be related to a dirty of failing idle air control valve. This is a unit that monitors the air intake into the motor as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This information...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com