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How to Replace Idler Pulley 2000-08 V8 5-3L Chevy Suburban

Created on: 2017-03-02

How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a screeching, squeaking or worn engine idler pulley on 00, 01, 02, 03, 04 , 05, 06, 07, 08 Chevy Suburban

  1. step 1 :Removing the Air Intake
    • Loosen the hose clamp after the MAF sensor
    • Twist the boot from the MAF sensor
    • Remove the hose clamp at the throttle bottle
    • Disconnect the hoses from their clamps
    • Remove the intake runner
  2. step 2 :Removing the Serpentine Belt
    • Familiarize yourself with the route of the serpentine belt
    • Insert the 15mm wrench into the tensioner
    • Turn the tensioner clockwise to loosen the belt
    • Pull the belt off a pulley
    • Release the tensioner
    • Pull the belt off by hand
  3. step 3 :Removing the Idler Pulley
    • Remove the 15mm bolt from the idler pulley
    • Remove the pulley
  4. step 4 :Installing the Idler Pulley
    • Insert the idler pulley into place
    • Tighten the 15mm bolt to the pulley, checking to see if it spins freely
  5. step 5 :Installing the Serpentine Belt
    • Loop the belt around the harmonic balancer/crank pulley
    • Bring it over the water pump
    • Bring it under the power steering pulley
    • Bring it around the belt tensioner
    • Bring it under the idler pulley
    • Pull the tensioner clockwise with the 15mm wrench
    • Bring it around the A/C Pulley
    • Release the tensioner
  6. step 6 :Installing the Air Intake
    • Insert the intake tubing into place
    • Tighten the hose clamp to the MAF sensor and the throttle
    • Clip in the hoses

Tools needed

  • 15mm Wrench

    Socket Extensions

    Flat Blade Screwdriver

    15mm Socket

    Ratchet

Hi, I'm Mike from 1AAuto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years! We're dedicated to delivering quality auto parts, expert customer service, and fast and free shipping, all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. So visit us at 1AAuto.com, your trusted source for quality auto parts.

In this video we're going to be working with our 2002 Chevy Suburban. We're going to show you how to remove and replace the idler pulley on a 5.3L V8.

If you like this video, please click subscribe. We have a ton more information on this and many other vehicles. If you ever need parts for your car, you can follow the link down in the description over to 1aauto.com.

Here are the items you'll need for this repair: flat blade screwdriver, 15mm wrench, 15mm socket, ratchet, socket extension

Loosen the hose clamp just after the mass air flow sensor. This is going to be the second one back from your air box. We'll do this using a flat-blade screwdriver. Wiggle and twist the boot to release it from the mass air flow sensor. You may need to use your screwdriver to help kind of peel it back here. These tend to get stuck on pretty good. We'll also remove the one at the throttle body. We'll need to disconnect the hoses from their clamps here. You can either try prying it out there or there's also a little clamp at the bottom here that you should be able to compress, pop loose with the flat-blade, and remove the intake runner from the vehicle.

We've removed some things like the radiator fan and the fan shroud to make it easier to show you what's going on, but you shouldn't need to do this if you're doing this job at home. Before removing your serpentine belt, make sure your vehicle has a belt path diagram under the hood somewhere. If this is missing or faded, you can just draw another one onto the plastic with something like a paint marker. Using a 15 mm wrench on the tensioner rotate the nut clockwise to slack the belt.

Pop the belt off of whatever pulley's easiest for you to reach. Let the tension off the pulley, and remove your serpentine belt. Your idler pulley is located below the alternator and to the left. Use a 15 mm socket and ratchet to remove the center bolt, and remove the assembly from the vehicle.

Now there's nothing wrong with our idler pulley, so rather than waste a good part we'll reinstall it. Make sure the pulley spins smoothly and freely.

Install the belt over the front grooves of the harmonic balancer or crank pulley. Bringing the right side over top of the pulley. We'll then go over top of the water pump and loop under the power steering pump, over the alternator, under the idler pulley. I'll keep this piece in my hand. Make sure that everything is seated because this one's kind of tight and you're going to want the room. Using my 15mm wrench, we'll take the tension off of the tensioner pulley, slide the belt over, double-check that our path is right, all of the belt is properly seated, and then let the tension back on.

Reinstall the intake tubing. It's easiest to set it onto the throttle body. Reengage the hoses into their clips and then get the boot over the air box. Then tighten down both clamps with a flat blade screwdriver.

Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.


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