A/C Belt Idler Bearing Fix

[AMC of Houston]

I'm talking about the lower "flat" idler pulley down by the alternator, the one with the impossible-to-find bearing.   I have 3 cars needing this repair, so I thought I'd try to figure out something - and I did!!

The original bearing is 40mm OD x 10mm ID x 12mm thick.   These bearings are unobtainable.   However, I did find  a readily-available bearing sized 40mm OD x 17mm ID x 12mm thick (China-made; but seem OK).   So I just needed to do something with the ID.   I found an easy-to-find "Idler Pulley Reducer Bushing" at various mower supply places that goes from 17mm down to 12mm, and is 12mm thick .   Getting closer.   I then found another reducer that goes from 12mm down to 10mm, and is also 12mm thick (found these cheap on Ebay).   So, I pressed all this stuff together, and pressed it into the old pulley, and I now have a usable lower idler pulley!!

If anyone needs one of these bearing setups, I bought extras (10 bearings, and bushing sets).   It was cheaper to buy mass quantities than to just buy the 3 I needed.   Figure about $8 each plus postage if anyone wants one.

[vangremlin]

Thanks for sharing this solution.  Thumbs up to you!

[carnuck]

Are you sure there isn't a pressed sleeve in the center hole? I found one on my '87 Comanche when I did my waterpump today. Rockauto shows a Gates 38038 replacement vee belt idler  pulley with 17 mm hole for '82 with 4.2L for $13 plus shipping.