How to Replace Smooth Idler Pulleys 2001-09 V8 4-6L Ford Explorer
Created on: 2017-05-10
How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a screeching, squeaking or worn engine idler pulley on 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 Ford Explorer 4.6L V8
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step 1 :Removing the Air Intake
- Loosen the air intake hose clamp with a flat blade screwdriver
- Disconnect the breather lines from the air intake
- Loosen the throttle body hose clamp with a flat blade screwdriver
- Pull the intake hose up and off
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step 2 :Removing the Serpentine Belt
- Familiarize yourself with the belt routing diagram
- Connect a 1/4" drive ratchet to the serpentine belt tensioner
- Turn the tensioner clockwise with the ratchet
- Pull the belt off one of the pulleys
- Carefully release the tensioner
- Remove the ratchet from the tensioner
- Remove the serpentine belt from under the A/C compressor pulley
- Pull the belt over the tensioner
- Remove the belt from the crankshaft and water pump pullleys
- Remove the belt from the grooved idler pulley and the power steering pump pulley
- Pull the belt out of the engine bay
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step 3 :Removing the Idler Pulleys
- Remove the 13mm bolt from the idler pulley
- Pull the pulley off the engine
- Repeat these steps for the other pulley
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step 4 :Installing the Idler Pulleys
- Put the idler pulley into place
- Install the 13mm bolt for the idler pulley
- Repeat these steps for the other pulley
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step 5 :Installing the Serpentine Belt
- Loop the belt around the crankshaft pulley
- Bring the belt between the tensioner and A/C compressor pulleys
- Bring the belt over the water pump pulley
- Bring the belt under the grooved idler pulley and the power steering pump pulley
- Connect a 1/4" drive ratchet to the serpentine belt tensioner
- Turn the tensioner clockwise with the ratchet
- Bring the belt over the alternator pulley and under the smooth idler pulley
- Carefully release the tensioner
- Remove the ratchet from the tensioner
- Check that the belt is routed properly
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step 6 :Installing the Air Intake
- Line up the air intake hose
- Connect the breather lines to the intake hose
- Tighten the two hose clamps with a flat blade screwdriver
Tools needed
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13mm Socket
Flat Blade Screwdriver
1/2 Inch Ratchet
Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years. We're dedicated to delivering quality auto parts, expert customer service, fast and free shipping, all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Visit us at 1AAuto.com, your trusted source for quality auto parts.
In this video we're going to be working with our 2006 Ford Explorer 4.6L V8. We're going to show you how to remove and replace your vehicles idler pulleys. If you like this video please click subscribe. We have a ton more information on this and many other vehicles and if you need these parts for your truck you can follow the link down in the description over to 1AAuto.com. Here are the items you'll need for this repair.
Loosen the clamp on the air box side of the intake duct with a flat blade screwdriver. You'll then want to disconnect the breather lines. There's a little green tab here that you just pull back and pop them off. You'll then need to undo the clamp on the throttle body. You'll then want to remove the intake duct.
For some jobs like your alternator or idler pulleys, it may not be necessary to remove the belt fully. However, if the pulley has been dragging from a bad bearing or a weak alternator, it's probably damaged your belt a bit too and it's not a bad idea to replace it while you're in here.
Using a 1/2" drive ratchet, place it into the square drive of the serpentine belt tensioner and rotate the tensioner clockwise to release pressure and remove the belt from one of the pulleys. It's usually easiest to do this from a smooth pulley. Then carefully release tension and remove your ratchet. Remove the serpentine belt from under the A/C compressor and then pull the loop up and through over your tensioner. You'll then want to get it out from under the crack where it loops over the water pump. You've already unhooked it from the idler pulley on this side so loop it out from the grooved idler pulley and the power steering pump and remove your belt.
Your idler pulleys are located on either side of the alternator just below it. About half way down the engine. To remove this you'll need a 13mm socket and ratchet. You just want to loosen and remove the center bolt on either pulley. Then remove the pulley from the engine.
Reinstall the pulley. And the 13 mm bolt. We'll then tighten it back down with the 13 mm socket and ratchet. Repeat these steps if you're replacing the pulley on the opposite side.
Now reinstalling the serpentine belt on this is going to be pretty difficult to show. You want to start with a loop and send it down and around the crank pulley. Now you're going to take the passenger side of the belt and bring it down between the tensioner and the A/C compressor at the bottom of the motor. With the right side of the belt, you're going to go up and over the water pump pulley all the way to the button of the motor on the driver side, where you'll go under the grooved idler pulley, as well as under the power steering pump pulley. Install your 1/2" drive into the tensioner and rotate it clockwise to release the belt tension. It's usually easiest to get over the alternator, then move your hand to the other side of the engine and go under the smooth idler pulley on the driver side, and then just use a light or your hand to check the belt path and make sure that everything went over and under all the pulleys currently and that it isn't hung up anywhere.
Reinstall the intake duct and pop on the two breather connections, then tighten it down with a flat blade screwdriver.
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