Pulley question on 2014 Tahoe

[iboughtatahoe23]

I was changing idler pulley on the 5.3 vortec, new pulley didn’t come with new screw, mount or shim, so I had to use the screw mount and shim from the old pulley. The new pulley(duralast) isn’t exactly identical to the old one(ACDelco) but I was assured it’s the correct one by AutoZone.
I went ahead and installed the new pulley with the old hardware and it was Sticking out just a hair to much and causing the belt to overhang in the back of the new idler pulley. I did some troubleshooting and came to the conclusion that it was the shim/spacer thing behind the mount of the pulley bearing causing it to stick out just a little too much.

To solve this I just removed the shim and installed it, now the belt sits flush and makes fully contact with the pulley.

The argument is: do I need the pulley shim? Some say it goes on the front of the pulley, some say it goes on the back (like my old pulley was) and some say you don’t need it all, and I’ve heard it’s there to inhibit dust and prevent chirping noises from the bearings.

So do I really need the pulley shim?

Ran fine so I’m guessing no, just wanna hear what y’all think.

 

[swathdiver]

Bump!

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Bump!

Turns out the shim goes on the front of the pulley?

 

[swathdiver]

Turns out the shim goes on the front of the pulley?

That's the way it looks on the originals.

This is why we caution against aftermarket parts. In this instance, it appears that Gates (36299) is the OE supplier for 12669569.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I do

That's the way it looks on the originals.

This is why we caution against aftermarket parts. In this instance, it appears that Gates (36299) is the OE supplier for 12669569.

I don’t understand what you mean? Do you have a link for this part.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

That's the way it looks on the originals.

This is why we caution against aftermarket parts. In this instance, it appears that Gates (36299) is the OE supplier for 12669569.

Guessing maybe this probably won’t last as long as the OE ones, but it isn’t giving me any issues so far.

 

[swathdiver]

I do

I don’t understand what you mean? Do you have a link for this part.

Trying to see what you were seeing I looked on RockAuto at a bunch of them.

Guessing maybe this probably won’t last as long as the OE ones, but it isn’t giving me any issues so far.

Maybe, maybe not. What I was alluding to was the different design and you being made to fool around with the washer to get things working right.

Some of the ones I saw had no real protection for the bearing unlike the Gates and GM and one other's design. Yours wasn't on the list so I don't know for sure what it looks like.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Trying to see what you were seeing I looked on RockAuto at a bunch of them.



Maybe, maybe not. What I was alluding to was the different design and you being made to fool around with the washer to get things working right.

Some of the ones I saw had no real protection for the bearing unlike the Gates and GM and one other's design. Yours wasn't on the list so I don't know for sure what it looks like.

So I’ll link what one I am using now below

One I want to get next :
Ac delco gold

One I’m using now : Duralast pulley

And then I see the gates one you mentioned is identical to the ac delco pulley. The dayco one I have looks like the ultra power brand pulley on rock auto

Edit: it was duralast not dayco

Also linked the last pulley that I had

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Also when I removed the pulley first time it was installed incorrectly. The washer was on the back. And it it supposed to be on the front of the pulley.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Right now, I have the duralast pulley running fine with the shim and hardware from the recent pulley. I do hear a little chirping noise barely noticeable thinks it’s my alternator pulley or something.

 

[swathdiver]

Right now, I have the duralast pulley running fine with the shim and hardware from the recent pulley. I do hear a little chirping noise barely noticeable thinks it’s my alternator pulley or something.

I ask myself why does the GM OE one cost $18 more even though it looks identical to Gates and ACDelco Gold? Is there a better bearing inside or just paying the General more money to feel good? I honestly don't know. I bought the GM OE.

Well, I think it would be good to put the ACDelco on your shelf and if this one acts up swap it out, or get the ACD and return the other.

The one you bought has a sealed bearing. However, it is not protected further from the elements like the Gates design. My Yukon's original went 177K.

 

[donjetman]

I changed all my belts, pulleys, tensioner from local NAPA 4 yrs & 55k miles ago and they're still going strong.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I changed all my belts, pulleys, tensioner from local NAPA 4 yrs & 55k miles ago and they're still going strong.

Nice!

I’m pretty sure mine are fine. Gonna change alternator out next.

 

[Geotrash]

One more note on this: the bearing is sealed and does not need a washer or shield in order to protect it. I have a non-oe idler pulley on my 2007 that I got from somewhere in a pinch because the one that was on it was making noise when I bought the truck. It had a different pulley design that was flatter in front so the flange washer that was on the original looks kinda silly sitting there providing essentially no protection to the bearing, but 40K later and it's still running silent with no play in it.

 

[donjetman]

Nice!

I’m pretty sure mine are fine. Gonna change alternator out next.

Back then I also installed a new amazon 160amp 8301N alternator and water pump, again still going strong

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Back then I also installed a new amazon 160amp 8301N alternator and water pump, again still going strong

Here’s my new pulley with the washer in the front. The new pulley is a bit more cylindrical on the front unlike the acdelco one that’s more pitted where the spacer goes. . But the spacer I notice, helps the nut sit in place on the front instead of sliding around on the bearing.

 

[mikez71]

I ask myself why does the GM OE one cost $18 more even though it looks identical to Gates and ACDelco Gold? Is there a better bearing inside or just paying the General more money to feel good? I honestly don't know. I bought the GM OE.

My GM pulley came with new bolt and spacers etc. Guess thats the $18. As Russia likes to say "Trust only trusted sources"

just kiddin.. Since it is a cheap, simple, and easy to access part.. I wont turn my nose up at you if you installed a cheapy.

Laser engraved in Canada with Chinese parts it says..

 

[Doubeleive]

I think some of the oem idler pulley's have varying quality I replaced one a few years ago and the finish wore off in nothing flat and I suspected it was getting noisy so I later replaced it with another oem and the finish on it took over 2 years to finally start wearing off and it is not making any noise

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I think some of the oem idler pulley's have varying quality I replaced one a few years ago and the finish wore off in nothing flat and I suspected it was getting noisy so I later replaced it with another oem and the finish on it took over 2 years to finally start wearing off and it is not making any noise

Finish was gone on my previous oe one as well.